Composite service providing system

ABSTRACT

A composite service providing system including a plurality of network electronic devices communicatively connected with each other. The plurality of network electronic devices includes electronic devices, each of which is capable of providing at least one service. A plurality of services provided by a plurality of electronic devices are combined to constitute a composite service. The composite service providing system further includes a composite service designating system that designates a composite service to be provided, an electronic device determining system that determines an electronic device that provides each of a plurality of services necessary for providing the composite service designated with the composite service designating system, and a controlling system that control the electronic devices determined by the electronic device determining system to provide the services so that the composite service designated by the designating system is provided.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/854,415 filed May 27,2004, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2003-153266filed May 29, 2003 and Japanese Application No. 2003-153267 filed May29, 2003. The disclosures of the prior applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a composite service providing system,which is configured to have a communicatively connected plurality ofelectronic devices, each of which provides at least one service, thecomposite service providing system providing a composite service whichis realized by combining a plurality of services respectively providedby the electronic devices.

Conventionally, an MFP (multifunction peripheral) has been known. TheMFP is implemented with a plurality of functions such as printer,scanner and facsimile functions in one apparatus. In contrast to theMFP, there has also been known a composite service providing systemwhich typically includes a plurality of electronic devices such asprinter, scanner and fax modem individually connected to a network andfunctions as a single MFP as a whole.

By use of the composite service providing system, for example, byscanning an image with a scanner connected to a network and by printingthe scanned image with a printer connected to the same network, thesystem can be used as copier. In another example, when the scanned imageis sent to a fax modem, the system functions as a facsimile device.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. P2000-90208A discloses asystem in which various services can be provided by combining aplurality of cards having various functions.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. P2001-282488A discloses asystem in which printers having similar functions are detected andincorporated in the same multicast address. By transmitting print datato the multicast address, printing is executed in parallel using theplurality of printers.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. HEI 11-305966 discloses asystem in which printing is done by a plurality of printers inaccordance with multicast transmission of print data. Further, accordingto this publication, by incorporating IDs in the print data, differentinstructions can be sent to the plurality of the printers, respectively.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. P2002-73462A discloses asystem in which, by designating a content ID and/or an outputdestination ID when printing is instructed, print data and/or printoutput destination are automatically determined.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. P2000-295658A discloses amethod of limiting a communication area by decreasing the radiotransmission power, and exchanging authentication information withdevices within the limited area.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. P2001-177599A discloses asystem in which, by use of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable,authentication information is exchanged only with a device connectedthrough the USB cable before starting a wireless communicationtherebetween.

Japanese patent provisional publication No. P2001-238238A discloses amethod of grouping a plurality of devices by use of IDs assignedthereto.

The conventional systems as exemplified above are, however, lessoperative in comparison with the MFP with which a plurality of functionsare provided, and a plurality of services can be realized with a singleapparatus.

SUMMARY

The present invention is advantageous in that an improved compositeservice providing system can be achieved, in which a user of the systemcan easily recognize which device is to be used, how to operate thedevice, and progression of a currently provided service.

The present invention is further advantageous in that an improvedcomposite service providing system can be realized, with which the usercan receive the services as if the system is an MFP apparatus which doesnot require complicated operations.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a compositeservice providing system including a plurality of network electronicdevices communicatively connected with each other, the plurality ofnetwork electronic devices including electronic devices each of which iscapable of providing at least one service, a plurality of servicesprovided by a plurality of electronic devices being combined toconstitute a composite service. The composite service providing systemfurther includes a composite service designating system that designatesa composite service to be provided, an electronic device determiningsystem that determines an electronic device that provides each of aplurality of services necessary for providing the composite servicedesignated with the composite service designating system, and acontrolling system that control the electronic devices determined by theelectronic device determining system to provide the services so that thecomposite service designated by the designating system is provided.

With this configuration, the user is not required to perform troublesomeoperations, and can use the entire composite service system as anall-in-one MFP (multifunction peripheral).

Optionally, the composite service providing system may further includean electronic device notifying system that notifies each of theelectronic devices determined by the electronic device determiningsystem.

With this configuration, the user can recognize the device to beoperated easily.

Further optionally, the composite service providing system may include aprogress notifying system that notifies a progress of the compositeservice.

With this configuration, the user can recognize the progress of thecomposite service easily.

Optionally, the composite service may be provided as the plurality ofservices necessary for providing the composite service are executed in apredetermined order, and the composite service providing system mayfurther include a usage order notifying system that notifies thepredetermined order in which the plurality of services necessary forproviding the composite service are executed.

In a particular case, the composite service providing system may furtherinclude an order storing system that stores the predetermined order ofthe plurality of services in relation with the composite service, andthe usage order notifying system may be configured to notify the orderof the plurality of services in accordance with contents of the orderstoring system.

Optionally, the composite service providing system may further include alocation information notifying system that notifies a location of eachof the plurality of electronic devices necessary for providing thecomposite service.

Particularly, composite service providing system may further include alocation obtaining system that obtains location information of theplurality of electronic devices necessary for providing the compositeservice, and the location information notifying system may be configuredto notify the locations of the plurality of electronic devices necessaryfor providing the composite service in accordance with obtained resultsof the location obtaining system.

Optionally, the electronic device may include a service executionnotifying system that notifies that the electronic itself executes aservice when the electronic device executes the service.

Further optionally, the composite service providing system may furtherinclude a progress notifying system that notifies a progress of thecomposite service.

In particular, the composite service designating system and the progressnotifying system may be implemented in the same electronic device.

In this case, each of the electronic devices may be configured tonotify, when it executes a service, a start of execution of the serviceto the electronic device that is implemented with the composite servicedesignating system and the progress notifying system, and the progressnotifying system may be configured to notify the progress of thecomposite service in accordance with the notifications by the electronicdevices.

In this case, each of the electronic devices may be configured tonotify, when a service is finished, an end of execution of the serviceto the electronic device that is implemented with the composite servicedesignating system and the progress notifying system, and the progressnotifying system may be configured to notify the progress of thecomposite service in accordance with the notifications by the electronicdevices.

Still optionally, the composite service providing system may furtherinclude a composite service completion notifying system that notifies acompletion of the composite service when all the services necessary forproviding the composite service are completed.

In a particular case, the composite service providing system may furtherinclude an error notifying system that notifies that the compositeservice cannot be completed within a given time period if the servicesnecessary for providing the composite service are not completed within apredetermined time period.

Optionally, the composite service providing system may further include aservice type obtaining system that obtains, from the electronic devices,a type of a service each of the electronic device is capable ofproviding, and the electronic device determining system may beconfigured to determine the electronic devices based on obtained resultsof the service type obtaining system.

Optionally, predetermined ones of the electronic devices used forproviding the composite service may be assigned with a same identifier,and the electronic device determining system may be configured todetermine the electronic devices that respectively execute the pluralityof services from among the electronic devices having the sameidentifier.

In particular, the composite service providing system may furtherinclude a service type obtaining system that obtains, from theelectronic devices having the same identifier as the electronic devicehaving the composite service designating system has, a type of a serviceeach of the electronic device is capable of providing, and theelectronic device determining system may be configured to determine theelectronic devices based on obtained results of the service typeobtaining system.

Further, each electronic device may be configured to memorize anassigned identifier, and the service type obtaining system may beconfigured to transmit an inquiry including the identifier assigned tothe electronic device implemented with the composite service designatingsystem to the plurality of electronic devices, the service typeobtaining system receives a reply from each of the electronic deviceshaving the identifier same as that included in the inquiry, the replyincluding a type of a service the electronic device provides, theservice type obtaining system obtaining the service type of eachelectronic device based on the reply therefrom.

Optionally, the electronic device determining system may determine theelectronic devices in accordance with locations of the electronicdevices.

Further, the composite service providing system may include a locationobtaining system that obtains locations of the electronic devices, andthe electronic device determining system may be configured to determinethe electronic devices in accordance with the obtained results of thelocation obtaining system.

Still optionally, the composite service providing system may include ausage condition designating system that designates usage conditionsregarding the composite service, and the electronic device determiningsystem may determine devices that operate under the usage conditionsdesignated by the usage condition designating system as the electronicdevices executing the services.

In a particular case, the composite service providing system may includea capability obtaining system that obtains from electronic devicescapability information thereof, and an operation determining system thatdetermines whether each electronic device is capable of operating undera designated usage condition designated by the usage conditiondesignating system in accordance with the capability informationobtained by the capability obtaining system. In this case, theelectronic device determining system may determine an electronic devicein accordance with results of determination by the operation determiningsystem.

Optionally, the composite service providing system may further include auser recognition system that recognizes a user, and the electronicdevice determining system determines the electronic devices inaccordance with the user recognized by the user recognition system.

Further optionally, the composite service providing system may furtherinclude an electronic device designating system, which is used todesignate one of a plurality of electronic devices that are determinedby the electronic device determining system to provide a certainservice.

Furthermore optionally, the composite service providing system mayfurther include a notifying system that notifies that at least oneelectronic device that provides at least one of the plurality ofservices cannot be determined by the electronic device determiningsystem.

Optionally, a plurality of electronic devices respectively providing theplurality of services are determined by an electronic device determiningsystem provided to a single electronic device.

In particular, the electronic devices provided with the electronicdevice determining systems may include service providing systems,respectively, and the electronic devices respectively providing theplurality of services may be determined such that the electronic devicesprovided with the electronic device determining systems are selectedprior to the other electronic devices.

Optionally, the controlling system may include an execution informationcreating system that creates service execution information in which eachof the plurality of services is related to an electronic devicedetermined by the electronic device determining system, an executioninformation transmitting system that transmits the service executioninformation created by the execution information creating system to theelectronic device determined by the electronic device determiningsystem, and the electronic device that receives the service executioninformation transmitted by the execution information transmitting systemexecutes the service.

Optionally, the execution information transmitting system may beimplemented in each electronic device that provides a service, and theservice execution information may be transferred to an electronic deviceproviding a first service of the composite service, and then forwardlyrelayed among the electronic devices providing succeeding services oneafter another.

Alternatively, the execution information transmitting system may beconfigured to transmit the service execution information to all theelectronic devices providing the services constituting the compositeservice simultaneously.

Further alternatively, the execution information transmitting system maybe implemented in each electronic device that provides a service, andthe service execution information may be transferred to an electronicdevice providing a last service of the composite service, and thenreversely relayed among the electronic devices providing precedingservices one after another.

Optionally, the composite service may be provided as a plurality ofservices necessary for providing the composite service in accordancewith a predetermined order, and the electronic device providing theservice may be configured to determine by the electronic devicedetermining system implemented with an electronic device executing aservice to be executed immediately before the service.

In particular, the controlling system may include an executioninformation creating system that creates service execution informationincluding services for which electronic devices have not beendetermined, and services to be executed, and an execution informationtransmitting system that transmits the service execution informationcreated by the execution information creating system to the electronicdevice determined by the electronic device determining system. Further,the electronic device that receives the service execution informationtransmitted by the execution information transmitting system may executethe service.

Still optionally, at least one of the plurality of electronic devicesmay be configured to provide a scan service, at least one of theplurality of electronic devices may be configured to provide a printservice, and the composite service includes a copy service.

Alternatively, at least one of the plurality of electronic devices maybe configured to provide a scan service, at least one of the pluralityof electronic devices may be configured to provide a fax modem service,and the composite service includes a fax transmission service.

Further alternatively, at least one of the plurality of electronicdevices may be configured to provide a scan service, at least one of theplurality of electronic devices provides a storage service, and thecomposite service includes an image storing service.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anelectronic device for a composite service providing system including aplurality of network electronic devices communicatively connected witheach other, the plurality of network electronic devices includingelectronic devices each of which is capable of providing at least oneservice, a plurality of services provided by a plurality of electronicdevices being combined to constitute a composite service. The electronicdevice may include a composite service designating system thatdesignates a composite service to be provided, an electronic devicedetermining system that determines an electronic device that provideseach of a plurality of services necessary for providing the compositeservice designated with the composite service designating system, and acontrolling system that control the electronic devices determined by theelectronic device determining system to provide the services so that thecomposite service designated by the designating system is provided.

Optionally, the electronic device may include an electronic devicenotifying system that notifies each of the electronic devices determinedby the electronic device determining system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer program product for a computer, the computer program productcontaining computer accessible instructions which cause the computer tofunction as an electronic device for a composite service providingsystem including a plurality of network electronic devicescommunicatively connected with each other, the plurality of networkelectronic devices including electronic devices each of which is capableof providing at least one service, a plurality of services provided by aplurality of electronic devices being combined to constitute a compositeservice. In this case, the electronic device realized by the computermay be configured to include a composite service designating system thatdesignates a composite service to be provided, an electronic devicedetermining system that determines an electronic device that provideseach of a plurality of services necessary for providing the compositeservice designated with the composite service designating system, and acontrolling system that control the electronic devices determined by theelectronic device determining system to provide the services so that thecomposite service designated by the designating system is provided.

Optionally, the instructions may further cause the computer to includean electronic device notifying system that notifies each of theelectronic devices determined by the electronic device determiningsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a network system to whichthe invention is applicable;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional structure of eachdevice included in the network system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows schematic flowcharts illustrating operations of remoteterminal, scanner and printer of a composite service providing systemaccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows schematic flowcharts illustrating confirming procedures ofthe remote terminal, scanner and printer of a composite serviceproviding system according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of the remoteterminal according to the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a device determining procedure ofthe remote terminal according to the first, second, fourth and fifthembodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the remote terminalfor determining the devices in accordance with a device informationtable, according to the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a determined device confirmingprocedure of the remote terminal according to the first, second, fourthand fifth embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a designated composite serviceexecuting procedure of the remote terminal according to the first,second, fourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a recipe creating procedure ofthe remote terminal according to the first through fifth embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of a determineddevice according to the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart illustrating a task executing procedure of thedetermined device according to the first through fifth embodiments;

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a recipe processing procedure ofthe determined device according to the first through fifth embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a confirming procedure of thedetermined device according to the first, second, fourth and fifthembodiments;

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a recipe transferring procedureof the determined device according to the first, second and fifthembodiments;

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a service executing procedure ofthe determined device according to the first, second, fourth and fifthembodiments;

FIG. 17 shows a service table which is provided in each of the remoteterminal and designated device according to the first, second and fourthembodiments;

FIG. 18 shows device information tables according to the first, second,fourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 19 shows examples of contents of reply packet in response to aservice discovery from the device, according to the first, second,fourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 20 shows examples of device descriptions provided by the devices,according to the first through fifth embodiments;

FIGS. 21A and 21B show an example of a recipe according to the firstembodiment when the composite service is copying;

FIGS. 22A and 22B show an example of a recipe according to the firstembodiment when the composite service is remote FAX;

FIGS. 23A and 23B show an example of a recipe according to the firstembodiment when the composite service is image capture;

FIG. 24 is an example of a job list provided in the scanner, accordingto the first through fifth embodiments;

FIG. 25 shows schematic flowcharts illustrating operations of remoteterminal, scanner and printer of a composite service providing systemaccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 shows schematic flowcharts illustrating confirming procedures ofthe remote terminal, scanner and printer of a composite serviceproviding system according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 shows a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the deviceaccording to the second embodiment for determining a device providing anext service;

FIG. 28 shows a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the deviceaccording to the second embodiment for transferring a recipe forexecution;

FIGS. 29A and 29B show an example of the recipe according to the secondembodiment;

FIGS. 30 and 31 show schematic flowcharts illustrating operations ofremote terminal, scanner and printer of a composite service providingsystem according to the third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of the remoteterminal according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 33 shows a flowchart illustrating a composite service executingprocedure executed by the remote terminal according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 34 shows a flowchart illustrating a progress confirming procedureexecuted by the remote terminal according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 35 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of the deviceaccording to the third embodiment;

FIG. 36 shows a service procedure executed by the device according tothe third embodiment;

FIG. 37 shows a flowchart illustrating a next device waiting procedureaccording to the third embodiment;

FIG. 38 shows an example of a service table provided in the remoteterminal and device according to the third embodiment;

FIGS. 39A and 29B show an example of the recipe according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 40 shows schematic flowcharts illustrating operations of remoteterminal, scanner and printer of a composite service providing systemaccording to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 41A and 41B show a recipe according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 42 shows schematic flowcharts illustrating operations of remoteterminal, scanner and printer of a composite service providing systemaccording to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 43A and 43B show an example of a recipe according to the fifthembodiment;

FIG. 44 shows a flowchart illustrating a service task start-up procedureexecuted by the device according to the invention;

FIG. 45 shows a flowchart illustrating a scan task execution procedureexecuted by the device according to the invention;

FIG. 46 shows a flowchart illustrating a print/fax task executionprocedure executed by the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 47 shows a flowchart illustrating a storage task executionprocedure executed by the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawings, composite service providingsystems according to first through fifth embodiments of the inventionwill be described.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary configuration of a networksystem to which the composite service providing systems according to theembodiments of the invention are applicable.

The network system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of electronicdevices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which are communicatively interconnectedthrough a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In this example,some of the electronic devices (i.e., the devices 1, 2 and 3) areconfigured such that each device is capable of providing at least oneservice. The electronic device 4 is a remote terminal 4, which is usedto remotely control the electronic devices 1, 2 and 3. The networksystem may further include a device, which will be described later, thatis used for displaying a progress of the composite service.

The remote terminal 4 is an independent device in this example. However,the system is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and theremote terminal 4 may be implemented in the electronic devices 1, 2and/or 3.

Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the electronic device 1 isa scanner 1 which provides a scanning service, the electronic device 2is a fax modem 2 which provides a data transmission/reception service,and the electronic devices 3 are printers 3 which provide a printingservice. As the remote terminal 3, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), aPC (personal computer) and/or an electronic device implemented with afunction of the remote terminal as well as a service providing functionmay be used. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the FDA 4 is employed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional structure of eachdevice included in the network system shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.2, the electronic devices 1, 2 and 3 include service providing units 1a, 2 a and 3 a, communication units 1 b, 2 b and 3 b that operate tocommunicate with other devices with wired and/or wireless communication,display units 1 c, 2 c and 3 c that display input/output information,operational guidance and/or progression information, notifying units 1d, 2 d and 3 d that provide operational guidance and/or notifyprogression, operation input units 1 e, 2 e and 3 e, storing units 1 f,2 f and 3 f and CPUs (central processing units) 1 g, 2 g and 3 g,respectively.

The storing units 1 f, 2 f and 3 f include input data areas thattemporarily store data input through the operation input units 1 e, 2 eand 3 e and/or communication units 1 b, 2 b and 3 b, respectively,storing areas that store data and programs that enable the electronicdevices 1, 2 and 3 to function, work areas that are used as work areaswhen the electronic devices 1, 2 and 3 operate in accordance with thedata and programs temporarily stored in the input data areas and thestoring areas, and output data areas that store output data that hasbeen processed, respectively.

Specifically, the storing unit 1 f, 2 f, and 3 f include memories suchas ROMs (Read Only Memories) and/or storage devices such as RAMs (RandomAccess Memories), NVRAMs (Non-Volatile RAMs), flexible disk drives, harddisk drives and MO (Magneto-Optical Disk) drives.

Each of the notifying units 1 d, 2 d and 3 d notifies a user of aposition of the electronic device and progress of the service (e.g.,start/end of the service) with an LED and/or buzzer, and/or notifies auser of the operation guidance and/or progress of the service with voicemessages.

The remote terminal 4 includes a communication unit 4 a that executesdata communication in accordance with at least one of wired and wirelesscommunication methods, a display unit 4 b that displays the input/outputinformation, operational guidance and/or progress of the service, anotifying unit 4 c that notifies the operational guidance and/orprogress of the service with the LED and/or voice messages, the externaloperation input unit 4 d, a storing unit 4 e and a CPU 4 f.

The storing unit 4 e includes an input data area that temporarily storesdata input through the external operation input unit 4 d and/or datareceived by the communication unit 4 a, a storing area that stores dataand programs that enable the remote terminal 4 to function, a work areathat is used as work area when the remote terminal 4 operates inaccordance with the data and programs temporarily stored in the inputdata area and the storing area, and an output data area that storesoutput data that has been processed

The notifying unit 4 c notifies the user of the progress of the service(e.g., start/end of the service) with the LED and/or buzzer, and/ornotifies the user of the operation guidance and/or progress of theservice with voice messages.

Various programs are provided to respective electronic devices so thatthe network system functions as a composite service providing system.The programs include various program modules having instructions thatcause respective devices to function appropriately.

Hereinafter, the composite service providing systems according to firstthrough fifth embodiments of the invention will be describedindividually.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows flowcharts illustrating operations of the remote terminal4, scanner 1 and printers 3 of the composite service providing systemaccording to a first embodiment of the invention.

In S3-101, the remote terminal 4 requests the user to designate adesired composite service (which will also be referred to as a“designated composite service” hereinafter) and to set usage conditionsrelated to the desired composite service. In the example shown in FIG.3, the user designates the copy service as the desired compositeservice.

In S3-102, the remote terminal 4 automatically determines all theelectronic devices necessary for providing the designated compositeservice. Such devices will occasionally be referred to as “determineddevices” hereinafter. It should be noted that each of the determineddevices provide certain services, combination of which provides thedesignated composite service.

In S3-103, the remote terminal 4 examines a status of the determineddevices, and displays the desired composite service and the determinedelectronic devices on the display unit 4 b so that the user can view theinformation.

In S3-104, the remote terminal 4 requests the user to confirm theinformation displayed on the display unit 4 b, and to input aninstruction to start the desired composite service.

In S3-105, the remote terminal 4 creates an execution information table(hereinafter referred to as an execution recipe) which is a data tablecontaining data necessary for carrying out the desired composite service(e.g., names of the determined devices, usage conditions and the like)and is to be exchanged among the devices carrying out the individualservices. Thus created execution recipe is transmitted to a first deviceof the determined devices carrying out the desired composite service. Inthe example of the first embodiment, the execution recipe is firstlytransmitted to the scanner 1.

Thereafter, the remote terminal 4 receives progress reports from thedetermined devices in S3-106 through S3-111, and notifies the user ofthe progress with the display unit 4 b and/or the notifying unit 4 e.

In S3-201, the scanner 1, which is one of the determined devices,receives the execution recipe. In S3-202, the scanner 1 sets operationalconditions for executing the scan service, based on the receivedexecution recipe.

In S3-203, upon operation of a scan button by the user, the scanner 1starts a scanning operation. In S3-204, the scanner 1 transmits theexecution recipe to a device providing the next service (in thisexample, to the printer 3).

In S3-205, the scanner 1 informs the remote terminal 4 of the start ofthe scanning operation. In S3-206, the scanner 1 notifies that thescanning operation is started by displaying a notification “scanningstarted” on the display unit 1 c and/or the notifying unit 1 d.

In S3-207, the scanner 1 scans an original. In S3-208, the scanner 1notifies that the scanning operation is finished with the display unit 1c and/or the notifying unit 1 d. In S3-209, the scanner transmits thescanned data to the next device (i.e., the printer 3). Then, in S3-210,the scanner 1 reports that the scanning operation is finished to theremote terminal 4.

In S3-110, the scanner 1 informs the remote terminal 4 of the completionof the scanning, and terminates the operation. It should be noted thatthe transmission of the scanned data may be performed simultaneouslywith the scanning operation.

It should be noted that the operations in S3-202, S3-204 and S3-205 areexecuted in accordance with the scripts of the execution recipe.

The printer 3, which is also one of the determined devices, receives theexecution recipe in S3-301 from the scanner 1.

In S3-302, the printer 3 set operational conditions thereof forproviding the print service based on the scripts of the operationrecipe.

In S3-303, the printer 3 receives the scanned data from the scanner 1.In S3-304, the printer 3 informs the remote terminal 4 of the start ofprinting.

In S3-305, the printer 3 notifies the start of printing by displaying aprogress status on the display unit 3 c and/or notifying unit 3 d. Then,in S3-306, the printer 3 starts printing an image corresponding to thereceived data.

In S3-307, the printer 3 notifies the completion of printing bydisplaying a progress status on the display unit 3 c and/or thenotifying unit 3 d. In S3-308, the printer 3 informs the remote terminal4 of the completion of the printing operation.

FIG. 4 shows flowcharts illustrating confirming procedures of the remoteterminal 4, scanner 1 and printer 3 of the composite service providingsystem according to the first embodiment.

In S4-101, the remote terminal 4 displays the determined devices on adisplay unit thereof. In S4-102, the remote terminal 4 creates aconfirmation recipe. The confirmation recipe is a data table, whichcontains information (e.g., determined device names, usage conditionsand the like) and is exchanged among the devices in order to confirmthat the determined devices can provide the service.

Then, the confirmation recipe is transmitted to a device providing thefirst service of the composite service (in this example, the scanner 1).

In S4-103, the remote terminal notifies the display of the progress ofthe composite service is started with the displaying unit 4 b and/or thenotifying unit 4 c. Then, the remote terminal 4 receives reports ofprogress from the determined devices in S4-104 and S4-105.

In S4-201, the device providing the first service (i.e., the scanner 1)receives the confirmation recipe. In S4-202, the scanner 1 notifies aprogress guidance such as a display of “scan service is being confirmed”with the display unit 1 c and/or notifying unit 1 d.

In S4-203, the scanner 1 transmits the confirmation recipe to a deviceproviding a second service of the composite service (in this example,the printer 3).

In S4-204, the scanner 1 notifies the end of confirmation with thedisplay unit 1 c and/or notifying unit 1 d. The scanner 1 also transmitsthe report indicating the end of confirmation to the remote terminal 4,and completes the procedure.

It should be noted that the operations in S4-202 and S4-203 (i.e.,notification by use of the display unit 1 c and/or notifying unit 1 d,and transfer of the confirmation recipe to the printer 3) are executedin accordance with the scripts of the confirmation recipe.

In S4-301, the printer 3 receives the confirmation recipe from thescanner 1. Then, in S4-302, the printer 3 notifies a progress indicatingthat the print service is confirmed by use of the display unit 3 cand/or notifying unit 3 d.

In S4-303, the printer 3 notifies the completion of confirmation by useof the display unit 3 c and/or notifying unit 3 d, transmits the reportof completion of confirmation to the remote terminal 4, and completesthe procedure.

In S4-105, the remote terminal 4 receives the completion of confirmationfrom the printer 3. At this stage, the printer 3 has already receivedthe report of completion of the confirmation from the scanner 1.

In S4-106, upon receipt of the reports of completion of the confirmationfrom all the determined devices, the remote terminal 4 notifies that theconfirmation is completed in all the determined devices by use of thedisplay unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 d.

In S4-107, the remote terminal 4 displays the confirmed determineddevices on the display unit 4 b, and terminates the procedure shown inFIG. 4. When the determined devices are displayed on the display unit 4b, they are displayed in the order of usage in order to notify the orderof individual services constituting the composite service. It ispreferable that the locations of the determined devices are alsodisplayed.

Operations of the composite service providing system, in particular,operations of the remote terminal 4 and operations of the electronicdevices of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of the remoteterminal 4 according to the first embodiment.

In S5-01, the remote terminal 4 requests the user to determine whether acomposite service should be provided. When the user selects “NO”, otherprocedures are executed in S5-10, and control returns to S5-01. When theuser selects “YES”, process proceeds to S5-02.

In S5-02, process requests the user to designate a composite service theuser intends to use, and the usage conditions.

The remote terminal 4 contains a service table (as shown in FIG. 17)having a plurality of records respectively related to compositeservices. The left side columns of the service table indicate types ofthe composite services. In each row of the table (i.e., each record),individual services to be provided in order to provide the compositeservice indicated in the left end of each record are indicated.

In the table shown in FIG. 17, service 1 represents a service firstlyexecuted, service 2 represents the secondly executed service, service 3represents the service to be executed thirdly.

As above, the order of the individual services when each compositeservice is executed are stored in relation with the composite servicesin the service table.

When the user designates one of the composite services, the remoteterminal 4 determines the services to provide the designated compositeservice in accordance with the service table shown in FIG. 17, andfurther, in accordance with a procedure described later, the devices tobe used and the order of usage of the devices.

In FIG. 17, as the composite services, a copy service, a remote faxservice, an image storing service, a fax image storing are indicated, asexamples. In the composite service indicated in FIG. 17, image data isprocessed as digital data.

When the copy service is designated as the composite service, forexample, it is know from the service table shown in FIG. 17, theservices to achieve the composite service include the scan service(service 1) and the copy service (service 2), which are executed in thisorder. Thus, in order to carry out the copy service as the compositeservice, an original is scanned with a device which provides a scanservice, and then, the scanned image, which is a digitized image, isprocessed by a device providing a print service.

In the service table shown in FIG. 17, “start instruction required”means that the usage conditions include the user's instruction. That is,a user's instruction is necessary to start the operation (service) inorder to carry out each service having such a condition. “Push servicen” (n being an integer) indicates a method of exchanging digital data.For example, “Push service 2” represents that the digital data isactively transferred from the device providing the service 1 to thedevice providing the service 1

In S5-03 (FIG. 5), all the devices to carry out the designated compositeservice are automatically determined by the remote terminal 4.

When it is failed to determine all the devices (S5-04: NO), processproceeds to S5-09. When all the devices are determined (S5-04: YES),process proceeds to S5-05.

In S5-05, process confirms the operational status (e.g., communicationstatus) of each of the determined devices. When the confirmation isfailed (S5-06: YES), process goes to S5-09.

In S5-09, process notifies the error condition with the display unit 4 band/or the notifying unit 4 c, and then process returns to S5-01.

When process successfully confirms the operational status of each of thedetermined devices (S5-06: NO), process proceeds to S5-07.

In S5-07, process requests the user to input the instruction to startthe composite service (e.g., by operating a start key). As the useroperates the start key to input the instruction to start the compositeservice, process initiates the designated composite service (S5-08).When S5-08 is finished, process returns to S5-01.

In S5-08, process instructs execution of the designated compositeservice. The instructions include procedure of creating an executionrecipe, procedure of transmitting the execution recipe to the devicewhich provides the first service for the designated composite servicerepresented by the execution recipe, and procedure of displaying theprogress of the composite service.

Next, the procedure for automatically determining the devices necessaryfor carrying out the designated composite procedure executed in S5-03 ofFIG. 5 will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a device determining procedure ofthe remote terminal according to the first embodiments.

In S6-01, the remote terminal 4 refers to the service 1 of the servicetable in the record (row) corresponding to the designated compositeservice. For example, when the designate composite service is the copyservice, the service 1 is the scan service (see FIG. 17).

In S6-02, process determines whether all the devices for providing theindividual services to achieve the designated composite service havebeen determined. When all the devices for individual services have beendetermined (S6-02: YES), process terminates the procedure since it isunnecessary to determine further devices. When all the devices have notbeen determined (S6-02: NO), process proceeds to S6-03.

In S6-03, process creates a device information table for a compositeservice of interest or initializes the table. That is, in S6-03, theremote terminal 4 creates and stores a device information table withrespect to the composite service of interest as shown in FIG. 18.Alternatively, when the remote terminal 4 already has the deviceinformation table as shown in FIG. 18, the table is initialized. As aresult, a device information table whose cells are all blanked isprepared.

FIG. 18 show examples of the device information tables. The deviceinformation table has items of index, usage flag, invalid flag, deviceID, GID (group ID), address, information regarding input/outputinterface (i.e., Data Sink URL and Src.URl), location and capability. Aslocation data, longitude and latitude obtained by use of GPS may bestored. Optionally, information of a location in a building (e.g., afloor information) may also be stored as location data.

In cells of usage flag and invalid flag, results of the determinationprocedure of all the devices are stored.

In the example of FIG. 18, the information tables for services ofinterest with respect the composite services of the scan service, printservice, fax service and image storing service are indicated,respectively.

In S6-04, the remote terminal 4 determines whether the remote terminal 4itself can provide the target service. It should be noted that each ofthe serviced respectively executed by individual devices will also bereferred to as a “target service”. Thus, in S6-04, the target servicemay be the print service, scan service, copy service and the like,depending on the procedure.

When the remote terminal 4 can provide the target service (S6-04: YES),process proceeds to S6-18. Process makes this decision when the devicewhich can provide the service (e.g., print service, scan service, etc.)is implemented with the remote terminal 4.

When the remote terminal 4 cannot provide the target service (S6-04:NO), process proceeds to S6-05. This decision is made when the remoteteiininal function is not implemented in the device, or although theremote terminal function is implemented in a device, the device itselfcannot provide the target service.

In S6-05, the remote terminal 4 issues a service discovery request bybroadcasting or multicasting in order to find a device capable ofproviding the target service. If a device among a grouped devices is tobe selected, GDI is also multicast together with the service discoveryrequest.

In S6-06, the remote terminal 4 collects the replies from the devicesfor a predetermined time period, and the collected data is registeredwith the device information table. When the device is to be selectedfrom among the grouped devices, only replies from the devices having thesame GID are collected.

FIG. 19 shows examples of contents of reply packets transmitted from thedevice, in response to the service discovery request. As shown in FIG.19, the reply includes the items of the device ID, GID, address and datarelated to the input/output interface (DataSink URL and Src.URl) and theservice the device can provide.

From the thus obtained replies, the remote terminal 4 obtains the typeof the service each device provides, the address of the device whichprovides the target service and data related to the I/O interface (DataSink URL, Src.URL) of digital data necessary for providing the targetservice.

In S6-07, the remote terminal 4 determines whether the data contained inthe reply from each device has been registered with the deviceinformation table.

When the data has not been registered with the device information table(S6-07: NO), the device information could not be collected. In such acase, process proceeds to S6-20 and notifies the error using the displayunit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c, and terminates the procedure (errortermination). When the data has been registered with the deviceinformation table (S6-07: YES), process proceeds to S6-08.

As described above, steps from S6-03 through S6-07, data of the devicescapable of providing the target service is collected from the devicesbelonging to the same group as the remote terminal 4 belongs, or fromall the devices.

In S6-08, process refers to the first record of the device table relatedto the target service. When the designated composite service is the copyservice, the record of the scanner 1, which is indicated at the item of“device ID” in the device information table for the record of the scanservice (Index 1), is referred to.

In S6-09, process determines whether device description request has beenmade for all the devices indicated in the device information tablerelated to the composite service of interest.

When the device description request has been made for all the devices(S6-09: YES), process proceeds to S6-16. When the device descriptionrequest has not been made for all the devices (S6-09: NO), processproceeds to S6-10.

In S6-10, process obtains an address from the record for the firstdevice in the device information table related to the target service.When the designated composite service is the copy service, processobtains the address of the scanner 1 in the record of Index 1 in thedevice information table for the scan service shown in FIG. 18.

In S6-11, process transmits a request for the device description to theobtained address. The request for the device description is a requesttransmitted from the remote terminal 4 to a device for reply includinginformation of the device as indicated in FIG. 20.

As shown in FIG. 20, the device description includes device ID (i.e.,device ID number), address, data related to the I/O interface (i.e.,DataSink URL, Src.URL), Service (i.e., provided service), Location andCapability.

By receiving the device description, the remote terminal 4 obtains theinformation representing characteristics of respective devices, based onwhich the device to be used to carry out the target service can bedetermined. When the GID is set, the device description includes theGID.

S6-12, process determines whether a reply is received within apredetermined period.

When the reply has not been received within the predetermined period(S6-12: NO), process proceeds to S6-14. In S6-14, process sets aninvalid flag to the record of interest in the device information tablerelated to the target service, in the above example, the first record inthe device information table. When the designated composite service isthe copy, the invalid flag is set to the scanner 1 in the record ofindex 1 in the device information table for scan service shown in FIG.18. Then, process proceeds to S6-15.

When the reply has been received within the predetermined period (S6-12:YES), process proceeds to S6-13.

In S6-13, the device description transmitted as the reply is stored asthe record of interest, that is, the first record of the deviceinformation table. Then, process proceeds to S6-15.

In S6-15, process refers to the next record of the device informationtable related to the target service. When the designated compositeservice is the copy service, the scanner 1 in the record of index 2 inthe device information table for scan service in FIG. 18 is referred to.Then, process returns to S6-09.

Steps S6-09 through S6-15 are executed for all the devices indicated inthe device information table related to the target service. When thedesignated composite service is the copy service, the steps are executedfor the scanner 1 indicated in the record of index 1, and for thescanner 1 indicated in the record of index 2.

When the device description requests have been made for all the devicesindicated in the device information table related to the target service(S6-09: YES), process proceeds to S6-16.

As above, in steps S6-10 through S6-15, for the devices whose addressesare obtained in steps S6-03 through S6-07, which devices are capable ofproviding the target service, the information representing thecharacteristics of the devices is obtained.

In S6-16, process determines an appropriate device for carrying out thetarget service from among the devices indicated in the deviceinformation table for the target service and the invalid flag is notset, with taking the usage conditions into account. Then, process set ausage flag to the device information table of the determined device.

When the designated composite service is the copy, the usage flag is setto one of the devices of indexes 1 and 2 in the device information tablefor scan service shown in FIG. 18.

In S6-17, process determines whether the usage flag is set to the deviceinformation table for the target service.

When the flag is not set (i.e., the device has not been determined)(S6-17: NO), process notifies the error with the display unit 4 b and/ornotifying unit 4 c, and terminates the procedure. When the flag is set(i.e., the device has been determined) (S6-17: YES), process proceeds toS6-19.

In S6-04, process determines whether remote terminal 4 is implemented ina device, and the device is capable of providing the target service.When the device implemented with the remote terminal 4 is capable ofproviding the target service (S6-04: YES), process proceeds to S6-18.

In S6-18, process records the information indicated in the devicedescription of the device in which the remote terminal 4 is implementedin the device information table for the target service, and sets theusage flag. Then, process proceeds to S6-19.

In S6-19, process refers to a record of the next service in the servicetable of the designated composite service. When the composite service isthe copy service, the print service indicated at the item 2 (service 2)of the table shown in FIG. 17 is referred to. Then, process proceeds toS6-02.

Since S6-04 is executed prior to S6-05 and the following steps, when thedevice implemented with the remote terminal 4 is capable of providingthe target service, the device is selected appropriately. For example,when the scanner 1 is implemented with the remote terminal 4, it isinappropriate to use another scanner, and process determines the deviceappropriately.

In S6-18 (FIG. 6), process sets the usage flag to the record when thedevice implemented with the remote terminal 4 is capable of providingthe target service. This may be modified such that only registration ofthe record is executed in S6-18 and S6-05 is executed after S6-18.

When modified as above, if the user instructs a color copy operationusing the monochromatic scanner 1 implemented with the remote scanner 4,a scanner having a color image scanning function is selectedappropriately.

It should be noted that steps S6-02 through S6-19 are executed for allthe services stored in the items of the composite service for all theservices stored in the service table. In other words, the steps arerepeated until all of the devices that provide individual services whichare necessary for carrying out the designated composite service aredetermined. When all the devices are determined (S6-02: YES), theprocedure for determining the devices to be used is terminated.

Next, a procedure for determining the devices from the deviceinformation table (S6-16) will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the remoteterminal 4 for determining the devices in accordance with the deviceinformation table according to the first embodiment.

In S7-01, process refers to the record related to the first device inthe device information table for the target service. For example, whenthe target service is scanning, process refers to a record of index 1 inthe device information table for scan service shown in FIG. 18.

In S7-02, process determines whether the usage conditions set by theuser are compared with the device information including the devicecapability and the like for all the devices indicated in the deviceinformation table for the target service, in accordance with apredetermined procedure, which will be described later.

When the comparison has been made for all the devices (S7-02: YES),process proceeds to S7-08. When the comparison has not been finished(S7-02: NO), process proceeds to S7-03.

In S7-03, process determines whether the invalid flag is set withrespect to the record of interest. That is, process determines whetherinformation representing the characteristics of the individual deviceshas been obtained. For example, when the when the target service isscanning, process refers to the invalid flag in the record of Index 1 inFIG. 18.

When the invalid flag is set (S7-02: YES), control proceeds to S07,while when the invalid flag is not set (S7-02: NO), process proceeds toS7-04.

In S7-04, process compares the usage conditions set by the user with thecapability information of the target record. Then, in S7-05, processdetermines, based on the results of the comparison in S7-04, whether thedevice operates under the conditions set by the user.

When the device does not operate (S7-05: NO), process proceeds to S7-07.When the device operates (S7-05: YES), process proceeds to S7-06.

In S7-06, process sets the usage flag to the recode of interest of thedevice information table, and proceeds to S7-07.

As described above, in steps S7-03 through S7-06, process selects thedevices in accordance with the user's intention.

In S7-07, process refers to the next record of the device informationtable related to the target service. For example, when the targetservice is the scanning, process refers to the record of index 2 in thedevice information table for scan service shown in FIG. 18. Then,process returns to S7-02.

Steps S7-02 through S7-07 are repeated for all the devices indicated inthe device information table for the target service among the individualservices necessary for carrying out the designated composite service.

When steps S7-02 through S7-07 have been executed for all the devicerecords indicated in the device information table for the targetservice, determination in S7-02 becomes “YES”, and process proceeds toS7-08.

In S7-08, process determines whether the usage flag is set to aplurality of devices. When the usage flag is set to only one device(S7-08: NO), the device has now been determined, and process terminatesthe procedure.

When the usage flags are set to a plurality of devices (S7-08: YES),there are a plurality of candidates for the device to be used, andprocess proceeds to S7-09.

In S7-09, process sets invalid flags to all the records for the devices,whose usage flags have not been set, in the device information table forthe target service among the individual services necessary for carryingout the designated composite service. In S7-10, the usage flags of allthe devices in the device information table are cleared.

In S7-09 and S7-10, the usage flags are reset so that, in the followingsteps, an appropriate device is selected from a plurality of candidatedevices.

In S7-11, process refers to the record of the first device indicated inthe device information table for the target service, from among theindividual services for carrying out the designated composite service.For example, when the designate composite service is the copy and thescan service is currently referred to, process refries to the record ofindex 1 in the device information table for scan service.

In S7-12, process determines whether steps S7-12 through S7-15 have beenexecuted with respect to all the devices in the device information tablefor the target service in S7-12.

When steps S7-12 through S7-15 have been executed for all the devices(S7-12: YES), process proceeds to S7-16, otherwise (S7-12: NO), processproceeds to S7-13.

In S7-13, process determines whether the invalid flag is set to therecord of interest. That is, process determines whether the devicerepresented by the record of interest has been selected as the user'sintended device.

When the invalid flag is set (S7-13: YES), process proceeds to S7-15.When the invalid flag is not set (S7-13: NO), process proceeds to S7-14.

In S7-14, locations of devices are compared. In S7-04, deviceinformation is compared with the usage conditions set by the user, andin S7-05, an appropriate device is selected. In S7-14, the location ofthe device is compared with the location of the user, and in S7-16, adevice close to the user is selected.

In S7-14, for example, a difference between the location information ofthe device indicated in the record of interest and the locationinformation of the user is obtained and stored. As the location of theuser, location information of the remote terminal 4 that has the displaypanel for displaying the information of progress of the procedure or thelocation of a predetermined device is used. It should be noted that theuser can set, in advance, the display panel of which one of the remoteterminal 4 and a plurality of devices is used to display the progress ofthe procedure.

Alternatively, process may obtain a difference between the locationinformation of the device indicated in the record of interest and thelocation of the device selected in the service before the target serviceis selected, and store the difference. For example, when the designatedcomposite service is the copy, the target service is the print service,and scanner 1 has been selected as the device providing the previousservice (scan service), process compares the location information of thescanner 1 and the location information of the record related to thedevice referred to in the device information table for print service,and store the difference.

In S7-15, process refers to a record related to a next device in thedevice information table for the target service. Then, process returnsto S7-12.

In S7-12, when steps S7-12 and S7-15 are executed for all the devicesindicated in the device information table for the target service,determination in S7-12 becomes “YES”, and process proceeds to S7-16.

In S7-16, process set the usage flag to the record having the minimumdifference among the results of the comparison.

By executing steps S7-13 through S7-16, a device which is closest to thelocation where the user receives the progress report, closest to theuser when the composite service is being executed, or closest to theposition at which the user input the image is selected. Accordingly,when the user need to receive an output of the composite service (e.g.,a copy of an image), a distance the user is required to move islessened.

In S7-17, process determines whether the usage flags of a plurality ofdevices are set. When there is one device whose usage flag is set(S7-17: NO), the device is the determined device and process terminatesthe procedure. When there are plurality of devices whose usage flags areset (S7-17: YES), there remain a plurality of candidate devices, andprocess proceeds to S7-18.

Steps S7-18 through S7-20 are a device designating procedure in whichthe user is requested to designate a device. It should be noted thatsteps S7-18 through S7-20 are executed when a device is not determinedin the above procedure.

In S7-18, process displays a list of the devices whose usage flags areset on the display unit of the remote terminal 4.

In S7-19, the remote terminal 4 requests the user to designate a devicefrom among the devices listed and displayed on the display unit.

In S7-20, process sets the usage flag to the designated device, andterminates the procedure.

Next, a confirming procedure of the determined device (see S5-05) willbe described.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a determined device confirmingprocedure of the remote terminal 4 according to the first embodiment.

In S8-01, the remote terminal 4 creates a determined device confirmingrecipe. Then, in S8-02, the remote terminal 4 transmits the determineddevice confirming recipe to the device that executes the first service.

In S8-03, the remote terminal 4 notifies the start of confirmation withthe display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c.

In S8-04, a service 1 in FIG. 17 is referred to.

In S8-05, process determines whether a confirmation has been made forall the devices necessary of providing the individual services to carryout the designated composite service.

When the confirmation has been mad with respect to all the devices(S8-05: YES), process proceeds to S8-09. When there is at least onedevice for which the confirmation has not been made (S8-05: NO), processproceeds to S8-06.

In S8-06, process determines whether a report is received from thedevice providing the target service. When the report has not beenreceived (S8-06: NO), process proceeds to S8-11. When the report hasbeen received (S8-06: YES), process proceeds to S8-07.

In S8-07, process determines whether the received report is an errorreport. When the report is the error report (S8-07: YES), processproceeds to S8-12. When the report is not the error report (S8-07: NO),process proceeds to S8-08.

In S8-08, process refers to the next service of the individual servicesfor carrying out the designated composite service indicated in theservice table (see FIG. 17). Then, process returns to S8-05.

The confirming procedure of steps S8-05 through S8-08 is repeated forall the devices indicated in the service table, which provide individualservices necessary for carrying out the designated composite service.

When the confirming procedure of steps S8-05 through S8-08 is executedfor all the devices that provide the services necessary for achievingthe designated composite service, decision in steps S8-05 is “YES”, andprocess proceeds to S8-09.

In S8-09, the remote terminal 4 notifies the completion of theconfirmation with display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c.

In S8-10, process displays the determined device, which has beenconfirmed, on the display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c, andterminates the procedure shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that thedetermined devices are displayed in the determined order to notify theorder in which the plurality of services are executed.

With the above-described procedure, process notifies that all thedevices necessary for carrying out the composite service are operablestates.

When the decision in S8-06 is “NO”, that is, when there is no reportfrom the device that provides the target service, process proceeds toS8-11.

In S8-11, process determines whether a period for awaiting theconfirmation report expires. When the waiting period has not expired(S8-11: NO), process returns to S8-06. When the waiting period hasexpired (S8-11: YES), process proceeds to S8-12.

In S8-12, process notifies the error with the display unit 4 b and/ornotifying unit 4 c, and terminates the procedure shown in FIG. 8.

Next, a procedure of instructing execution of the designated compositeservice will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a designated composite serviceexecuting procedure of the remote terminal according to the firstembodiment.

In S9-01, the remote terminal 4 creates the designated composite serviceexecution recipe.

In S9-02, process refers to the service 1 which is to be executedfirstly in the record related to the composite service designated in theservice table (see FIG. 17).

In S9-03, process transmits the recipe to the device which executes thefirst service.

In S9-04, process notifies start of the designated composite servicewith the display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c.

In S9-05, process determines whether service completion reports arereceived from all the devices that provide the individual services whichare necessary executed to achieve the designated composite service.

When the service completion reports have been received from all thedevices (S9-05: YES), process proceeds to S9-12. When the servicecompletion reports have not been received from all the devices (S9-05:NO), process proceeds to S9-06.

In S9-06, process determines whether a report is received from thedevice that provides the target service. When the report has not beenreceived (S9-06: NO), process proceeds to S9-13, otherwise processproceeds to S9-07.

In S9-07, process determines whether the received report is a reportindicating the start of the target service.

When the received report is the report of starting of the target service(S9-07: YES), process proceeds to S9-08, where process notifies thestart of the target service with the display unit 4 b and/or notifyingunit 4 c. Then, process returns to S9-05. When the received report isnot the report of staring of the target service (S9-07: NO), processproceeds to S9-09.

In S9-09, process determines whether the report indicates the end of thetarget service.

When the report is not a report indicating the end of the target service(S9-09: NO), process proceeds to S9-14. When the report is a reportindicating the end of the target service (S9-09: YES), process proceedsto S9-10.

In S9-10, process notifies the end of the target service with thedisplay unit 4 b and/or the notifying unit 4 e. Then, process proceedsto S9-11.

In S9-11, process refers to a service to be executed next, in theservice table shown (see FIG. 17), from among the records related to thedesignated composite service. Then, process returns to S9-05. When theend reports have been received from all the device necessary forperforming the services constituting the designated composite service,decision in S9-05 becomes “YES”. Thereafter, process proceeds to S9-12.

In S9-12, process notifies the end of the designated composite servicewith the display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c, and terminates theprocedure.

The remote terminal 4 instructs the start of the composite service bytransmitting the operation recipe, and keeps monitoring the progressionof the composite service with reporting the progress to the user untilthe end of the composite service.

In S9-06, when the process has not received a report from the deviceproviding the target service (S9-06: NO), process proceeds to S9-13.

In S9-13, process determines whether a predetermined time period toawait the report has expired. When the predetermined time period has notyet expired (S9-13: NO), process returns to S9-06. When thepredetermined time period has expired (S9-06: YES), process proceeds toS9-14.

In 9-09, when the received report is not the report indicating the endof the target service (S9-09: NO), process proceeds to S9-14, whereprocess notifies the error with the display unit 4 b and/or notifyingunit 4 c and terminates the procedure.

Next, a procedure for creating the recipe (see S8-01 and S9-01) will bedescribed in detail.

FIGS. 21A and 21B show an example of a recipe when the composite serviceis copying, FIGS. 22A and 22B show an example of a recipe when thecomposite service is remote FAX, and FIGS. 23A and 23B show an exampleof a recipe when the composite service is image capture.

In each of FIGS. 21A through 23B, a left-hand side lines indicate anexample of the recipe, while a right-hand side lines are explanations ofthe recipe.

In each recipe, the first line indicates whether the designatedcomposite service and the recipe are for confirmation or execution.

In the second line through fourth line, a type of transmission of therecipe is indicated. There are three types of transmission. According tothe first type, all the devices that provide respective services aredetermined in the remote terminal 4, and the recipe is transmitted fromthe remote terminal 4 to a device providing the first service, from thedevice providing the first service to a device providing a secondservice, . . . , and so on. That is, in the first type, the recipe istransmitted sequentially as it is from one device to another.

According to the second type, all the devices that provide respectiveservices are determined in the remote terminal 4, and the recipe istransmitted from the remote terminal 4 to the device providing the lastservice, then from the device providing the last service to a deviceproviding a second last service, . . . , and so on. That is, in thesecond type, the recipe is transmitted reverse-sequentially from onedevice to another.

According to the third type, all the devices that provide respectiveservices are determined in the remote terminal 4, and the recipe istransmitted from the remote terminal 4 to all the devices providing theindividual services simultaneously.

When none of the three types is designated in the recipe, the remoteterminal 4 determines only a device providing the first service, and therecipe is transmitted to the device providing the first service. Then,the device providing the first service determines a device providing thesecond service, and transmits the recipe to the device providing thesecond service. Similar procedure is performed until the recipe istransmitted to a device providing the last service.

In each type of the transmission, by transmitting the recipe to thedevices, each device is notified that it is selected as a deviceproviding a service. It should be noted that, by transmitting therecipe, operational settings can be transmitted to respective devices.

The first embodiment will be described, for the explanation purpose, toemploy the first transmission type.

In a fifth line of the recipe, whether a user ID is to be replied isindicated.

In a sixth line of the recipe, a panel that receives a progressionreport from the devices respectively providing the services isdesignated. For example, the panel may be the remote terminal itself, orrespective devices providing the individual services of the designatedcomposite service. Optionally, the panel may be another electronicdevice having a display function and communicatively connected to theremote terminal 4 and the devices providing the services (e.g., a cellphone).

In lines 7 and 8 of the recipe, names of the devices providing theindividual services are indicated.

In line 9 of the recipe, an IP address of the panel designated above isindicated. In lines 10 and 11, IP addresses of the devices providing theindividual services.

In line 12, whether a progression report through the panel is necessaryis indicated.

In lines 13 onward, operational conditions of the respective devices areindicated.

Specifically, when the composite service is the copy service (see FIGS.21A and 21B), in lines 13 onward, the operation conditions for scanningand printing are indicated.

The operation conditions of the scanning include resolution,color/monochromatic, type of output document, whether sound/voiceguidance is necessary, whether a progression report from the scanner 1is necessary, whether a start instruction for scanning by a user isnecessary and a destination of the scanned data.

The operation conditions of the print service include sheet type, sheetsize, input document format, color/monochromatic, sheet orientation, thenumber of copies, print quality, whether sound/voice guidance isnecessary, whether a progression report from the printer 3 is necessary,whether a start instruction by a user is necessary and a source of printdata.

When the composite service is a fax service (FIGS. 22A and 22B), lines13 onward indicate the operation conditions for scan and fax services.

The operation conditions of the scan service are similar to thoseindicated in FIGS. 21A and 21B.

The operation conditions of the fax service include transmission size,input document format, color/monochromatic, whether sound/voice guidanceis necessary, whether a progression report from fax is necessary,whether a start instruction by a user is necessary and a source of data.

When the composite service is an image storing service (see FIGS. 23Aand 23B), lines 13 onward of the recipe indicate the operationconditions of the scan service and a storage service.

The operation conditions of the scan service are similar to thoseindicated in FIG. 21A-21B or 22A-22B.

The operation conditions of the storage service include whether data iscompressed, whether sound/voice guidance is necessary, whetherprogression report from the storage is necessary, whether a startinstruction by a user of the storage is required and a source of thedata to be stored.

It should be noted that, when the recipe is for confirmation, it is onlynecessary to confirm the operation statuses of respective devices, andaccordingly, the operational conditions are not necessarily be includedin the recipe.

Next, a procedure for creating the recipe will be described in detail.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a recipe creating procedure ofthe remote terminal 4 according to the first embodiment.

In S10-01, the remote terminal 4 creates an empty recipe. The emptyrecipe only includes information of the designated composite service andinformation indicating whether the recipe is for confirmation orexecution. No further information is included in the empty recipe.

In S10-02, the remote terminal 4 writes in the empty recipe that theremote terminal 4 itself as the panel receiving the progression reportsfrom the devices providing respective services.

In S10-03, the remote terminal 4 designate the transmission type of therecipe. In the first embodiment, the recipe is transmitted (relayed)sequentially.

In S10-04, the remote terminal 4 writes whether a reply of the user IDis necessary. In the first embodiment, the remote terminal 4 writes thatthe reply of the user ID is unnecessary.

In S10-05, the remote terminal 4 refers to a device providing theservice 1 which is executed firstly referring to the record related tothe designated composite service indicated in the service table (seeFIG. 17).

In S10-06, process determines whether all the device names, IP addressesand operation conditions have been written in the recipe with respectall the devices providing the individual services to achieve thedesignated composite service.

When all the information has been written in the recipe (S10-06: YES),the recipe creating procedure is terminated. When the writing of therecipe has not been finished (S10-06: NO), process proceeds to S10-07.In S10-07, process writes the device name of a device providing thetarget service and its IP address in the recipe.

In S10-08, process writes the usage condition regarding the targetservice in the recipe. Then, in S10-09, process refers to a deviceproviding the next service indicated in the record related to thedesignated composite service included in the service table (FIG. 17).Then, process returns to S10-06.

The writing procedure in steps S10-06 through S10-09 is repeated for allthe devices providing individual services indicated in the recordrelated to the designated composite service. When the writing procedurein steps S10-06 through S10-09 has been finished for all the devices(S10-06: YES), the procedure shown in FIG. 10 is terminated.

It should be noted that, when the recipe is for confirmation, stepS10-08 is not necessarily executed.

Next, the operation of a device providing the service will be describedin detail.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of a deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

In S11-01, process determines whether a data packet is received. When nodata packet is received (S11-01: NO), process proceeds to S11-13, whereprocess performs other operation and returns to S11-01.

When a data packet is received (S11-01: YES), process proceeds toS11-02.

In S11-02, process analyzes the received data packet. In S11-03, processdetermines, based on the analysis result, whether the received data isthe request for the service discovery from the remote terminal 4.

When the data is not the service discovery request (S11-03: NO), processproceeds to S11-07. When the data is the service discovery request(S11-03: YES), process proceeds to S11-04.

In S11-04, process determines whether the data includes the GID, andwhether the GID coincides with the GID of the device.

When the data includes the GID but it does not coincide with the GID ofthe device (S11-04: NO), process returns to S11-01. That is, when theservice discovery request is recognized to come from a device outside agroup to which the device belongs, the service discovery request isignored.

When the data does not include the GID or when the GID coincides withthe GID of the device (S11-04: YES), process proceeds to S11-05.

In S11-05, process determines whether the device itself can provide theservice. When the device cannot provide the service (S11-05: NO),process returns to S11-01. When the device can provide the service(S11-05: YES), process returns information related to the service andits address as shown in FIG. 19 to the remote terminal 4. That is, thedevice only replies to the service discovery corresponding to theservice the device can provide. Thereafter, process returns to S11-01.

When the data is not the request for the service discovery (S11-03: NO),process proceeds to S11-07.

In S11-07, process determines whether the data packet include a devicedescription request from the remote terminal 4.

When the data is not the device description request (S11-07: NO),process proceeds to S11-09. When the data is the device descriptionrequest (S11-07: YES), process proceeds to S11-08.

In S11-08, process returns the device description describing the deviceinformation, as shown in FIG. 20, to the remote terminal 4. Then,process returns to S11-01.

In S11-09, process determines whether the data packet includes data tobe used in a task of the device itself. For example, when the device isthe printer 3, process determines whether the data is print data to beprocessed by the print function.

When the data is not for the execution of the service (S11-09: NO),process proceeds to S11-11. When the data is for the execution of theservice (S11-09: YES), process proceeds to S11-10, where process sendsthe data to the task of the device so that the service is executed.Then, process returns to S11-01.

When the data is not for execution of the service (S11-09: NO), processproceeds to S11-11, where process determines whether the data packet isthe recipe or not.

When the data is not the recipe (S11-11: NO), process proceeds toS11-13, and executes other procedures. Then, process returns to S11-01.When the data is the recipe (S11-11: YES), process proceeds to S11-12,executes an operation corresponding to the recipe, and returns toS11-01.

The task execution procedure in S11-10 will be described in detail.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart illustrating a task execution procedure of thedetermined device according to the first embodiment.

In S12-01, process determines whether a task waiting for data exists.When there is not task that waits for data (S12-01: NO), processproceeds to S12-04 to execute other procedures, and terminates the taskexecution procedure. When there is a task that waits for data (S12-01:YES), process proceeds to S12-02.

In S12-02, process determines whether there is a task which meets thecondition represented by the received data packet. When there is notsuch a task (S12-02: NO), process proceeds to S12-04 to executed otherprocedure, and terminates the task execution procedure. When there issuch a task (S12-02: YES), process proceeds to S12-03, where the data issent to the task, and the task is executed.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a recipe processing procedure,which is executed in S11-12 of the task execution procedure, accordingto the first embodiment.

In S1-01, based on the analysis of the recipe, process determineswhether the recipe is for confirmation or execution.

When the recipe is for confirmation (S13-02: YES), process proceeds toS13-03 to execute a confirming procedure. When the recipe is not forconfirmation (S13-02: NO), process proceeds to S13-04 and executes aservice executing procedure.

Next, the confirming procedure executed in S13-03 will be described.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating the confirming procedureaccording to the first embodiment.

In S14-01, process confirms that the device itself is written in therecipe for confirmation.

In S14-02, process determines whether a guidance using sound/voicemessage is necessary.

When the guidance is not necessary (S14-02: NO), process proceeds toS14-04. When the guidance is necessary (S14-02: YES), process proceedsto S14-03.

In S14-03, process notifies a progression guide of “Being Processed”with the display units 1 c (2, 3 c) and/or notifying unit 1 d (2 d, 3d).

In S14-04, process transmits the recipe for confirmation to the nextdevice recorded in the recipe.

In S14-05, process determines whether an error has occurred in atransmission procedure. When the error has occurred (S14-05: YES),process proceeds to S14-08. When the error has not occurred (S14-05:NO), process proceeds to S14-06.

In S14-06, process determines whether a progress report should betransmitted to the panel. When the progress report is unnecessary(S14-06: NO), process terminates the procedure shown in FIG. 14. Whenthe progress report is necessary (S14-06: YES), process proceeds toS14-07. In S14-07, process transmits the report of “ConfirmationFinished” to the panel, and terminates the procedure.

In S14-05, when the error has occurred (S14-05: YES), process proceedsto S14-08. In S14-08, process determines whether a progression report tothe panel is necessary. When the progress report is unnecessary (S14-08:NO), process terminates the procedure. When the progress report isnecessary (S14-08: YES), process proceeds to S14-09. Then, in S14-09,process transmits the report of “Error” to the panel, and terminates theprocedure.

Transmission of the recipe for confirmation, which is executed inS14-04, will be described.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating the recipe transmitting procedureexecuted by the device according to the first embodiment.

It should be noted that each device has a service table which is thesame as the service table the remote terminal 4 has and as the tableshown in FIG. 17.

In S15-01, process determines whether the transmission type of therecipe is a reverse relaying type. When the transmission type is thereverse relaying type (S15-01: YES), process proceeds to S15-08. Sincesteps S15-08 and S15-09 relates to a fifth embodiment, and will bedescribed later. According to the first embodiment, the transmissiontype is a forward relay type, i.e., not the reverse relay type (S15-01:NO). Accordingly, in the first embodiment, process proceeds to S15-02.

In S15-02, process determines whether there is a service following theservice provided by itself in the record related to the designatedcomposite service in the service table. When there is no servicefollowing the service provided by the device (S15-02: NO), processterminates the procedure since there is no need to transmit the recipe.When there is a service following the service provided by the device(S15-02: YES), process proceeds to S15-03.

In S15-03, process determines whether the transmission type of therecipe is the forward relay type. When the transmission type is not theforward relay type (S15-03: NO), process proceeds to S15-04. It shouldbe noted that steps S15-04 through S15-07 correspond to the secondembodiment, and will be described later. Since the forward relay typetransmission is employed in the first embodiment (S15-03: YES), processproceeds from S15-03 to S15-10.

Next, the service executing procedure executed in S13-04 will bedescribe in detail.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating the service executing procedureof the determined device according to the first embodiment.

In S16-01, process finds a description of itself in the recipe forexecution. In S16-02, process sets the usage conditions related to theservice which the device itself provides.

In S16-03, process determines whether an instruction by the user tostart executing the service is required.

When the user's instruction is unnecessary (S16-03: NO), processproceeds to S16-05. When the user's instruction is necessary (S16-03:YES), process proceeds to S16-04, when process request the user to inputthe instruction to start the service.

S16-05, process transmits the recipe for execution to the next device.This procedure is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 15.

In S16-06, process determines whether an error has occurred in thetransmitting procedure. When the error has occurred (S16-06: NO),process proceeds to S16-17. When the error has not occurred (S16-06:YES), process proceeds to S16-07.

In S16-07, process determines whether a sound/voice guidance isnecessary. When the sound/voice guidance is unnecessary (S16-07: NO),process proceeds to S16-09. When the sound/voice guidance is necessary(S16-07: YES), process proceeds to S16-08.

In S16-08, a progress guidance of “*** service is start” is notifiedusing the display unit 1 c (2 c or 3 c) and/or notifying unit 1 d (2 dor 3 d).

In S16-09, process executes the service by starting the service task ofthe device itself. When data is necessary (e.g., when the print serviceis executed), the task stays in a standby state until the data is givenin S12-03.

In S16-10, process determines whether a report of the end of the serviceis received from the service task.

When the end report has not been received (S16-10: NO), process proceedsto S16-15. When the end report has been received (S16-10), processproceeds to S16-11.

In S16-11, process determines whether a sound/voice guidance isnecessary. When the sound/voice guidance is unnecessary (S16-11: NO),process proceeds to S16-13. When the sound/voice guidance is necessary(S16-11: YES), process proceeds to S16-12.

In S16-12, a progress guide of “*** service is finished” is notifiedwith the display unit 1 c (2 c or 3 c) and/or notifying unit 1 d (2 d or3 d).

in S16-13, process determines whether a progress report is necessary.When the progress report is not necessary (S16-13: NO), processterminates the procedure of FIG. 16. when the progress report isnecessary (S16-13: YES), process proceeds to S16-14.

In S16-14, process determines whether a predetermined time periodregarding the service task procedure has expired. When the predeterminedtime period has not expired (S16-15: NO), process returns to S16-10.When the predetermined time period has expired (S16-15: YES), processproceeds to S16-16, and forcibly terminates the service task procedure.Then, process proceeds to S16-17.

In S16-17, process determines whether a sound/voice guidance isnecessary. When the sound/voice guidance is unnecessary (S16-17: NO),process proceeds to S16-19. When the sound/voice guidance is necessary(S16-17: YES), process proceeds to S16-18.

In S16-18, a progress guide of “Error” is notified with the display unit1 c (2 c or 3 c) and/or notifying unit 1 d (2 d or 3 d).

In S16-19, process determines whether a progress report is necessary.When the progress report is unnecessary (S16-19: NO), process terminatesthe procedure of FIG. 16, when the progress report is necessary (S16-19:YES), process proceeds to S16-20.

In S16-20, process transmits the progress report of “Error” to thepanel, and terminates the procedure illustrated in FIG. 16.

With the above procedure, the device executes the setting of itself,communication with a device that provides the next service, the serviceexecuted by the service task itself and transmission of the progressreport to the user. These procedures are all executed based on thedescription of the recipe for execution.

It should be noted that the service task execution procedure in S16-09will be described later.

Second Embodiment

Next, a composite service providing system according to a secondembodiment will be described. The system configuration of the systemaccording to the second embodiment is similar to that of the firstembodiment, and is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the compositeservice providing system according to the second embodiment will bedescribed referring to FIGS. 25 through 29, 5 through 8, 9 through 20and 24. Among them, FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 11 through 13, 17 through 20 and 24have been described above, and thus, description thereof will not berepeated in connection with the second embodiment. Rather, onlydifferent portions with respect to the first embodiment will bedescribed in detail below.

FIG. 25 shows flowcharts illustrating operations of remote terminal,scanner and printer of the composite service providing system accordingto the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 26 shows flowchartsillustrating confirming procedures of the remote terminal, scanner andprinter of a composite service providing system according to the secondembodiment.

In FIGS. 25 and 26, as an example of the composite service, a copyservice is designated. It should be noted that the designated compositeservice is not limited to the copy service, and the copy service isdescribed only for the purpose of explanation.

In S25-101 of FIG. 25, a procedure similar to that executed in S3-101 inthe first embodiment is executed.

In S25-102, the remote terminal 4 automatically determines a device thatprovides the first service among the services necessary for achievingthe composite service. That is, the remote terminal 4 determines adevice which provides the service 1 in the service table shown in FIG.17. In the example, the scanner 1 is selected as the device providingthe service 1.

In S25-103, the remote terminal creates the recipe for confirmation inorder to confirm the operation such as communication status of thescanner 1, and transmits the recipe for confirmation to the scanner 1.The recipe for confirmation is different from that of the firstembodiment in that the no printer is designated. In S25-104, the remoteterminal 4 notifies “Start confirmation” with the display unit 4 band/or notifying unit 4 c.

Then, in S25-105, the remote terminal receives the progress report ofthe confirmation from the determined device that provides the service 1.

In S25-201, the scanner receives the recipe for confirmation. InS25-202, the scanner 1 notifies a progress guide such as “Scan servicebeing confirmed” on the display unit 1 c and/or notifying unit 1 d.

In S25-203, the scanner 1 then automatically determines a device thatprovides a second service among the devices necessary for achieving thecomposite service, i.e., a device that provides a service correspondingto the service 2 in the service table shown in FIG. 17. In this example,the device that provides the service 2 is the printer 3.

In S25-204 and S25-205, process executes a procedure similar to thatexecuted in S4-203 and S4-204 of the first embodiment. Then, in S25-206,process receives the progress report of the confirmation from thedetermined device that provides the service 2.

In S25-301, the printer 3 receives the recipe for confirmation. Then, inS25-302, the printer 3 notifies a progress guide of “ConfirmationFinished” with the display unit 3 c and/or notifying unit 3 d.

In S25-303, process notifies that “Confirmation Finished” with thedisplay unit 3 c and/or notifying unit 3 d, and at the same time,process data indicating that “Confirmation Finished” to the remoteterminal 4 and the scanner 1. Then, process terminates the confirmingprocedure.

In S25-106 through S25-108, the remote terminal 4 executes a proceduresimilar to one executed in S4-105 through S4-107 of the firstembodiment. Then, process proceeds to S26-100, where the determineddevices are displayed on the display unit 4 b.

In S26-101 of FIG. 26, the remote terminal 4 requests the user toconfirm the information displayed on the display unit 4 b, and to inputan instruction to start the composite service.

In S26-102, the remote terminal 4 creates a recipe for execution,transmits the recipe to a scanner 1 that provides the service 1, andinstructs to execute the service. The recipe for execution is alsodifferent from that of the first embodiment in that the designation ofthe printer 3 is not described.

Thereafter, process proceeds to S26-103, where the remote terminal 4notifies a progress of service, i.e., “Copy Started” with the displayunit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c.

In S26-104 through S26-108, the remote terminal 4 executes a proceduresimilar to that executed in S3-107 through S3-111. In S26-201 throughS26-210, the scanner 1 executes a procedure similar to that executed inS3-201 through S3-210 of the first embodiment. It should be noted that,to the recipe for execution transmitted in S26-204, the scanner 1 hasadded the description on the printer 3, which has been determined inS25-203.

In S26-301 through S26-308, the printer 3 executes a procedure similarto that executed in S3-301 through S3-308 of the first embodiment.

A main procedure of the remote terminal 4 according to the secondembodiment is shown in FIG. 5. The difference between the secondembodiment and the first embodiment is that, according to the secondembodiment, process determines only a device that provides the service 1of the service table shown in FIG. 17 in S5-03. That is, the procedureshown in FIG. 6 should be modified. Specifically, in FIG. 6, when thedecision in S6-17 is “YES”, process terminates the procedure accordingto the second embodiment, without executing a loop of S6-02 and S6-19.

FIGS. 29A and 29B show an example of the recipe according to the secondembodiment. In this example, the composite service is the copy service.

According to the second embodiment, each device is to determine a deviceproviding the next service. Therefore, in the confirmation recipe aswell as in the execution recipe, information on usage conditionsincluding a resolution and color/monochromatic.

FIGS. 29A and 29B correspond to the recipe of the first embodiment shownin FIGS. 21A and 21B. The recipe shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B is differentfrom the recipe shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B in that the description onthe device name providing a service and the IP address of the device isgiven only for the device providing the first service, and device namesand IP addresses of devices providing service 2 and following servicesare not described. Further, in the recipe shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, itis indicated that the recipe need not be forwardly relayed among thedevices.

When the composite service is a remote fax and when the compositeservice is the image storing service, the difference of the confirmationrecipe and execution recipe according to the second embodiment and thoseof the first embodiment is the same as the difference between the secondand first embodiment when the composite service is the copy servicedescribed above.

FIG. 10 shows the flowchart illustrating the recipe creating procedurein the remote terminal 4, which also applies to the second embodiment.The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment by thefollowing point. According to the second embodiment, in S10-03, processwrites that the forward relay of the recipe among the devices is notnecessary in the recipe. Further, in S10-07, a device name and its IPaddress are written with respect to a single device.

Since the other operations are similar to those in the first embodiment,description there of will not be repeated.

Next, operation of the device providing the service will be described.Since the procedures shown in FIGS. 11 through 13 are the same both inthe first embodiment and the second embodiment, description thereof isnot repeated.

Regarding FIG. 14, the second embodiment is different from the firstembodiment in that the progress report of the confirmation in S14-07 andS14-09 is transmitted to both the remote terminal 4 and the device whichis the source of the confirmation recipe.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the procedure oftransmitting the confirmation recipe (S14-04) is different from that inthe first embodiment, which will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

Steps S15-01 and S15-02 according to the second embodiment are the sameas those of the first embodiment.

In S15-03, process determines whether the recipe is to be forwardlyrelayed among the devices. According to the second embodiment, it iswritten in the recipe that the recipe is not forwardly relayed.Therefore, decision in S15-03 is “NO”, and process proceeds to S15-04.

In S15-04, process determines a device that provides the next service.Then, in S15-05, process determines whether the previous operation ofdetermining the device is finished with error.

When step S15-04 is finished with error (S15-05: YES), the procedure isterminated with error. When step S15-04 is successfully finished (i.e.,the device is determined without error) (S15-05: NO), process proceedsto S15-06.

In S15-06, process writes the determined device (i.e., the devicedetermined in S15-04) and its IP address in the confirmation recipe.Then, in S15-07, process transmits the confirmation recipe to thedetermined device.

For example, when the composite service designated in FIGS. 29A and 29Bis the copy service, as a device that provides a service (i.e., printservice) following the service 1 (i.e., scan service), the printer 3 isdetermined. Then, the name of the determined device (i.e., printer 3)and its IP address are added to the confirmation recipe, and theconfirmation recipe is transmitted to the printer 3 which is thedetermined device.

When the composite service is the remote fax service, as a device thatprovides the next service (i.e., fax service) following the service 1(i.e., scan service), the fax modem 2 is determined, and the name of thefax modem 2 and its IP address are added to the confirmation recipe.Then, the confirmation recipe is transmitted to the fax modem 2.

When the composite service is the image storing service, as a devicethat provides the next service (i.e., storing service) following theservice 1 (i.e., scan service), the storage is determined, and the nameof the storage and its IP address are added to the confirmation recipe.Thereafter, the confirmation recipe is transmitted to the determinedstorage.

Next, a procedure of determining the next device (S15-04) according tothe second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 27 shows a flowchart illustrating the procedure of determining adevice providing the next service according to the second embodiment.

It should be noted that FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 6, but is differentfrom FIG. 6 in that the procedure illustrated in FIG. 27 is executed bythe device (not by the remote terminal 4), and when the decision inS27-27 (which corresponds to S6-17) is “YES”, the procedure isterminated (i.e., a loop of S6-02 and S6-19 is not included in FIG. 27).

Next, a procedure of transmitting the execution recipe (S16-05)according to the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 28 shows a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the device fortransmitting the execution recipe according to the second embodiment.

In S28-01, process determines whether a service following the servicethe device itself provides is included in the record related to thedesignated composite service in the service table. When the next serviceis not included (S28-01: NO), process terminates the procedure sincethere in no need to transmit the recipe. When the next service isavailable (S18-01: YES), process proceeds to S28-02.

In S28-02, process writes the name and IP address of a device which hasbeen determined in S14-04 as the device providing the next service andoperation thereof is confirmed in the execution recipe.

In S28-03, process transmits the execution recipe to determined device,and terminates the procedure.

For example, when the composite service is the copy service, as a deviceproviding the next service (i.e., print service) following the service 1(i.e., scan service), the printer 3 is determined, and the name and IPaddress of the printer 3 are added to the execution recipe. Then,process transmits the execution recipe to the determined/confirmedprinter 3.

When the composite service is the remote fax service, as a deviceproviding the next service (i.e., fax service) following the service 1(i.e., scan service), the fax modem is determined, and the name and IPaddress of the determined fax mode 2 are added in the execution recipe.The execution recipe is then transmitted to the determined fax modem 2.

When the composite service is the image storing service, as a deviceproviding the next service (i.e., storage service) following the service1 (i.e., scan service), the storage is determined, and the name and IPaddress of the storage are added in the execution recipe. The executionrecipe is then transmitted to the storage.

The above procedure is followed by a procedure for starting a servicetask, which will be described later after other embodiments aredescribed.

Third Embodiment

Next, a composite service providing system according to the thirdembodiment will be described. According to the third embodiment, when auser approaches a device and inputs a user ID, the device broadcasts theuser ID and device description. Thereafter, when a remote terminal 4 oranother device having the same user ID transmits an execution recipe,the device executes a service task.

Thus, according to the third embodiment, user can make a selection infront of the device that provides the user-intended service, and canwait the completion of the service in front of the device.

In order for the user to input the user ID to respective devicesproviding services, an external operation unit 1 e, 2 e, 3 e provided torespective devices. Alternatively or optionally, a transmitter thattransmits a signal carrying the user ID may be used. In this case, whenthe transmitter approaches a device (1, 2 or 3), a communication unit (1b, 2 b or 3 b) of the device automatically receives the signal carryingthe user ID, and stores the received user ID.

The hardware configuration of the third embodiment is similar to that ofthe first or second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In thefollowing description on the third embodiment, FIGS. 30 through 39, 10,12, 13 and 24 will be referred to. Among them, FIGS. 12, 13 and 24 arereferred to in the first embodiment, and the description thereof isomitted, and only different portions with respect to the firstembodiment will be described.

FIGS. 30 and 31 show flowcharts illustrating operations of remoteterminal, scanner and printer of a composite service providing systemaccording to the third embodiment of the invention.

In FIGS. 30 and 31, as the composite service, the copy service isdesignated, and a device that provides the service 1 in the servicetable is the scanner 1, and a device that provides the service 2 is theprinter 3.

In S30-101, an operation same as that in S3-101 (FIG. 1: firstembodiment) is executed. In S30-102, process requests the user to inputthe user ID.

In S30-103, process displays information on the display unit 4 b so thatthe user can confirm the same, and asks the user to input theinstruction to start the composite service.

In S30-104, process creates the execution recipe.

In S30-105, the remote terminal 4 notifies an indication of “CopyService Started” with the display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c.Then, the remote terminal 4 waits until the ID same as the user ID inputin S30-102 is transmitted from devices capable of providing the scanservice and print service, which are necessary for achieving the copyservice.

In S30-201, the user who instructs the copy service moves close to thescanner 1, and inputs the user ID in the scanner 1. The user ID is thenregistered with the scanner 1.

In S30-202, the scanner 1 broadcasts at least the user ID. Then, InS30-106, the remote terminal 4 receives the user ID. In S30-107, theremote terminal 4 determines whether the received user ID is equal tothe user ID assigned to the remote terminal 4, and when the IDs are thesame, the remote terminal 4 transmits the execution recipe to thescanner 1.

Thereafter, in S30-108 and S30-109, the remote terminal 4 executes theprocedure which is the same as the procedure in S3-107 and S3-108 of thefirst embodiment.

In S30-203 through S30-210, the scanner 1 executes a proceduresubstantially same as the procedure in S3-201 through S3-210 of thefirst embodiment except that the scanner 1 does not transmit theexecution recipe and scanned data.

Then, the scanner 1 waits until the user ID is transmitted from a devicethat provides the next service (i.e., the print service).

In S31-301, the user approaches the printer 3, and input the user IDinto the printer 3. Then, the printer 3 stores the input user ID. InS31-302, the printer 3 broadcasts at least the user ID.

In S31-201, the scanner 1 receives the user ID. Then, in S31-202, thescanner determines whether the received user ID is the same as the userID assigned to the scanner 1. When the user IDs are the same, thescanner transmits the execution recipe to the printer 3.

In S31-303, the printer 3 receives the execution recipe. Then, inS31-304, the printer 3 sets various operation conditions in order toprovide the print service based on the received execution recipe.

In S31-305, the printer 3 transmits a request to the scanner 1requesting to send the scanned data to the printer 3. Immediately afterthe printer 3 received the execution recipe, the printer 3 is not in astate to receive the scanned data. In S31-305, by sending the request,the printer 3 notifies the scanner that the printer 3 can receive thescanned data.

In S31-203, the scanner 1 receives the request for transmission of thescanned data.

In S31-304, the scanner 1 transmits the scanned data to the printer 3,and terminates the procedure.

In S31-306 through S31-311, the printer executes a procedure similar tothat in S3-303 through S3-308 according to the first embodiment.

The remote terminal 4 executes a procedure in S31-101 through S31-103,which is the same as the procedure in S3-109 through S3-111.

FIG. 32 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of the remoteterminal 4 according to the third embodiment.

In S32-01, the remote terminal 4 requests the user to determine whetherthe composite service is to be executed. When the user does not use thecomposite service (S32-01: NO), process proceeds to S32-06 to executeother procedures. When the user uses the composite service (S32-01:YES), process proceeds to S32-02.

In S32-02, process requests the user to designate which compositeservice is to be used, usage conditions thereof.

The remote terminal 4 has a service table related to the compositeservices as shown in FIG. 38. In this example, the contents of theservice table shown in FIG. 38 is substantially similar to those of theservice table shown in FIG. 17 except that the “push service” (everoccurrence) has been changed to “pull service”.

In the service table shown in FIG. 38, “Pull service n (n being aninteger)” represents a method of exchanging digital data. For example,the Pull service 1 represents a method in which process request thedevice providing service 1 to transmits the digital data, and receivesthe digital data as transmitted.

In S32-03, process requests the user to input the user ID. In S32-04,process further request the user to input the instruction to start thedesignated composite service.

In S32-05, process instructs to execute the designated compositeservice. The instruction to execute the designated composite serviceinclude recognition of the user ID, creation and transmission of theexecution recipe and display of progress.

Next, the instruction of the execution of the designated compositeservice in S32-05 will be described in detail.

FIG. 33 shows a flowchart illustrating the composite service executioninstructing procedure, which is executed by the remote terminal 4.

In S33-01, the remote terminal 4 creates the execution recipe for thedesignated composite service. In S33-02, process refers to the firstservice of a record related to the designated composite service in theservice table.

In S33-03, the remote terminal 4 notifies “Designated Composite Serviceis Started” with the display unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c.

In S33-04, remote terminal 4 determines whether the remote terminal 4itself can provide the target service. When the remote terminal 4 canprovide the target service (S33-04: YES), process proceeds to S33-10.This corresponds a case where, for example, a device capable ofproviding the target service (e.g., the scanner 1) is implemented withthe function of the remote terminal 4. When the remote terminal 4 cannotprovide the target service (S33-04: NO), process proceeds to S33-05.This corresponds to a case where, for example, the remote terminal 4 isnot implemented in a device or the remote terminal 4 is implemented in adevice which does not provide the target service.

In S33-05, process determines whether the user ID and the devicedescription as shown in FIG. 20 are received from another deviceproviding the service. When the user ID and the device description havenot been received (S33-05: NO), process proceeds to S33013. When theuser ID and the device description have been received (S33-05: YES),process proceeds to S33-06.

In S33-06, process determines whether the received ID coincides with theuser ID assigned to the remote terminal 4. When the user IDs are not thesame (S33-06: NO), process proceeds to S33-05. When the IDs are the same(S33-06: YES), process proceeds to S33-07.

In S33-07, process determines whether the device whose user ID has beenrecognized can provide the target service. When the device cannotprovide the target service (S33-07: NO), process returns to S33-05. Whenthe device can provide the target service (S33-07: YES), processproceeds to S33-08.

In S33-08, process records the recognized device as a device that canprovide the target service in the execution recipe.

In the procedure of S33-05 through S33-08, the remote terminal 4determines that the user selects a device by approaching the device thatprovide the service and input the user ID.

In S33-09, process transmits the execution recipe to the recognizeddevice. Then, process proceeds to S33-12.

In S33-04, when the remote terminal 4 is capable of providing the targetservice (S33-04: YES), process proceeds to S33-10. In S33-10, the remoteterminal 4 records, in the execution recipe, the remote terminal 4itself as the device that can provide the target service.

In S33-11, the remote terminal 4 executes the target service by sendingthe execution recipe to the service providing task of the remoteterminal 4 itself.

In S33-12, a designated composite service progress confirming procedureis executed.

That is, after the device that provides the first one of the servicesnecessary for achieving the composite service is determined, the remoteterminal 4 monitors the progress of the composite service.

When the user ID and the device description have not been received fromother device providing the service (S33-05: NO), process proceeds toS33-13. In S33-13, process determines whether a predetermined waitingperiod for the user ID and device description has expired. When thewaiting period has not expired (S33-13: NO), process returns to S33-05.When the waiting period has expired (S33-13: YES), process proceeds toS33-14.

In S33-14, a error message “*** Service Error” is notified with thedisplay unit 4 b and/or notifying unit 4 c. Then, the procedure shown inFIG. 33 is terminated.

The execution recipe creating procedure executed in S33-01 will bedescribed in detail.

The execution recipe creating procedure according to the thirdembodiment is similar to the procedure shown in FIG. 10. Portionsdifferent from the procedure in the first embodiment will be described.

According to the third embodiment, process writes, in the recipe, thattransmission/reception of the recipe is unnecessary in S10-03. InS10-04, process writes that user ID reply is unnecessary in the recipe.Further, according to the third embodiment, S10-07 is skipped. The othersteps are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will notdescribed.

FIGS. 39A and 29B show an example of the execution recipe according tothe third embodiment.

FIGS. 39A and 29B show a case where the composite service is the copyservice. The recipe shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B is different from theexecution recipe according to the first embodiment in the followingpoints.

Firstly, according to the third embodiment, the forward or reverse relayof the recipe among the devices is unnecessary, and it is alsounnecessary to transmits the recipe to all the determined devices:

It is unnecessary to return the user ID;

In the recipe, device name and IP address of only a device providing theservice 1 are described and other devices providing the services areundecided;

No destination is indicated for the data obtained in the service 1(i.e., scan service); and

The source of data for executing the service 2 is designated.

In a case where the composite service is the remote fax service or theimage storing service, the above portions are different with respect tothe first embodiment.

Next, the designated composite service progress confirming procedureexecuted in S33-12 will be described.

FIG. 34 shows a flowchart illustrating the designated composite serviceprogress confirming procedure executed by the remote terminal 4according to the third embodiment.

It should be noted that the procedure shown in FIG. 34 is similar to theprocedure from S9-05 to the end of the procedure shown in FIG. 9. Thus,description will be omitted.

An operation of the device will be described below.

FIG. 35 shows a flowchart illustrating a main procedure of the deviceaccording to the third embodiment.

In S35-01, process determines whether a data packet is received. Whenthe data packet has been received (S35-01: YES), process proceeds toS35-04. When the data packet is not received (S35-01: NO), processproceeds to S35-02.

In S35-02, process determines whether the user ID is input. When theuser ID has not been input (S35-02: NO), process proceeds to S35-10,where other procedures are executed, and process returns to S35-01. Whenthe user ID has been input (S35-02: YES), process proceeds to S35-03.

In S35-03, process broadcasts the user ID and the device description.Then, process proceeds to S35-01.

When the data packet is received (S35-01: YES), process proceeds toS35-04. In S35-04, process analyzes the data packet.

In S35-05 through S35-09, the procedure similar to that in S11-09through S11-13 of FIG. 11 is executed.

Next, the service execution procedure executed at S13-04 of the recipecreating procedure will be described.

FIG. 36 shows a service execution procedure executed by the deviceaccording to the third embodiment.

In S36-01 through S36-04, a procedure similar to the procedure in S16-01through S16-04 is executed. It should be noted that a step correspondingto S16-05 of FIG. 16 is not included in FIG. 36.

In S36-05 through S36-07, a procedure similar to the procedure in S16-07through S16-09 is executed.

In S36-08, process waits until the device providing the next servicebroadcasts the user ID and device description, then, determines thedevice that provides the next service. Thereafter, by transmitting theexecution recipe, process continues the composite service.

In S36-09, process determines whether an error has occurred in theprocedure for awaiting the device providing the next service. When theerror has occurred (S36-09: YES), process proceeds to S36-01. When theerror has not occurred (S36-09: NO) process proceeds to S36-10.

In S36-10 through S36-20, a procedure similar to the procedure in S16-10through S16-20 is executed.

The next service device waiting procedure (S36-08 of FIG. 36) will bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 37 shows a flowchart illustrating the next service device waitingprocedure according to the third embodiment.

In S37-01, process determines whether there is a service following theservice the device is providing in the record related to the designatedcomposite service in the service table. When there is not a next service(S37-01: NO), process terminates the procedure of FIG. 37 since all theindividual services constituting the designated composite service havebeen finished. When there is a next service (S37-01: YES), processproceeds to S37-02, where process refers to the next service.

In S37-03, process sets a waiting status for the user ID and devicedescription without designating the source. In S37-04, processdetermines whether the user ID and device description as shown in FIG.20 has been received from other devices providing services.

When process has not received the user ID and device description(S37-04: NO), process proceeds to S37-09. When process has received theuser ID and device description (S37-04: YES), process proceeds toS37-05.

In S37-05, process determines whether the received user ID coincideswith the user ID the present device itself has. When the user IDs do notcoincide (S37-05: NO), process proceeds to S37-04. When the user IDscoincide (S37-05: YES), process proceeds to S37-06.

In S37-06, process determines whether the recognized device can providethe target service. When the recognized device cannot provide the targetservice (S37-06: NO), process proceeds to S37-04. When the recognizeddevice can provide the target service (S37-06: YES), control proceeds toS37-07. In S37-04 through S37-06, it is determined that the user whoinstructed the execution of the composite service approaches a devicewhich the user intends to provide the next service.

In S37-07, process records the recognized device as the device that canprovide the target service in the execution recipe.

In S37-08, process transmits the execution recipe to the recognizeddevice, and terminates the procedure of FIG. 37.

In S37-04, when the user ID and device description have not beenreceived from other devices providing the services (S37-04: NO), processproceeds to S37-09.

In S37-09, process determines whether a predetermined waiting time forreceiving the user ID and device description has expired. When thewaiting time has not expired (S37-09: NO), process proceeds to S37-04.When the waiting time has expired (S37-09: YES), process terminates theprocedure with error.

As aforementioned, the procedure for starting the service task will bedescribed later, after all the embodiments are described.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a composite service providing system according to the fourthembodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is different fromthe first embodiment in that the recipe is not relayed among thedevices, but the execution recipe is directly transmitted from theremote terminal 4 to respective determined devices.

The hardware configuration of the composite service providing systemaccording to the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the firstembodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fourth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 40 through 41, 5 through 14, 16through 20 and 24. Among the drawings above, FIGS. 5 through 7, 11through 13, 17 through 20 and 24 have been described in connection withthe first embodiment, and therefore similar description thereof will notbe repeated, and only different portions will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 40 shows flowcharts illustrating operations of remote terminal,scanner and printer of the composite service providing system accordingto the fourth embodiment of the invention. In this example, as thecomposite service, the copy service is designated.

Steps S40-101 through S40-104 are similar to steps S3-101 throughS3-104.

In S40-105, process creates the execution recipe and transmits theexecution recipe to all the devices that provide the services necessaryfor achieving the composite service.

For example, the execution recipe is transmitted to the scanner 1 andthe printer 3 simultaneously. This feature is different from the firstembodiment. By transmitting the execution recipe to the scanner 1 andthe printer 3 at the same time, it is highly likely that the printer 3becomes ready to receive data before the scanner 1 transmits the imagedata.

In S40-201, the scanner 1, which is one of the determined devices,receives the execution recipe from the remote terminal 4. In S40-202,the scanner 1 sets operation conditions for providing the scan servicebased on the execution recipe. In S40-203, the scanner 1 transmits arequest for an operation confirmation to the printer 3 which is toprovide the next service.

In S40-204, the scanner 1 scans an original, and in S40-205, the scanner1 transmits the scanned data to the printer 3 which is to provide thenext service, and terminates the procedure.

In S40-301, the printer 3 receives the execution recipe from the remoteterminal 4. In S40-302, process sets the operational conditions forproviding the print service based on the execution recipe. In S40-303,process replies to the request for operation confirmation received fromthe printer 3.

In S40-304, the printer 3 receives the data the scanner 1 scanned andoutput. Then, in S40-305, the printer prints out the received data andterminates the procedure.

The operation confirmation procedure for confirming the operation of thedetermined device executed by the remote terminal 4 is similar to thatof the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 except that the confirmationrecipe is transmitted to all the determined devices in the recipetransmitting procedure in S8-02.

The designated composite service execution instructing procedure issimilar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 except that theexecution recipe it transmitted to all the determined devices in therecipe transmitting procedure in S9-03.

The recipe creating procedure is similar to that of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 10 except that process writes, in the recipe, that therecipe is to be transmitted from the remote terminal 4 to all thedetermined devices in the designation of transmission type of theexecution recipe in S10-03.

FIGS. 41A and 41B show an example of the recipe according to the fourthembodiment. The recipe shown in FIGS. 41A and 41B is similar to that ofthe first embodiment except that the transmission type of the recipe isdesignated such that the recipe is transmitted from the remote terminal4 to all the determined device. When the composite service is the remotefax service or the image storing service, the difference with respect tothe first embodiment is the transmission type of the recipe.

The confirming procedure at the device according to the fourthembodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 14except that the relaying of the recipe among the devices in S14-04 isnot executed, and procedure proceeds to S14-06.

The service execution procedure of the device is similar to that of thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 16 except that the relying of the recipeamong the devices in S16-05 is not executed, and process proceedsS16-07.

As aforementioned, the procedure for starting the service task will bedescribed later.

Fifth Embodiment

A composite service providing system according to the fifth embodimentwill be described. According to the fifth embodiment, the recipe isreversely relayed among the devices.

A hardware configuration of the composite service providing systemaccording to the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with referenceto FIGS. 42, 43, 5 through 16, 18 through 20, 24 and 38. Among them,FIGS. 5 through 7, 11 through 13, 18 through 20 and 24 are the same asin the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not berepeated, and only different portions will be described.

A service table referred to in the fifth embodiment is similar to thatof the third embodiment, and is shown in FIG. 38.

FIG. 42 shows flowcharts illustrating operations of remote terminal,scanner and printer of a composite service providing system according tothe fifth embodiment of the invention. In this example, the copy serviceis designated as the composite service.

S42-101 through S42-104 are similar to S3-101 through S3-104 of thefirst embodiment.

In S42-105, process creates an execution recipe, and transmits theexecution recipe to a device that provides a service finally. Forexample, the execution recipe is transmitted to the printer 3, firstly.Thus, the printer 3 is ready to receive data without fail, before thescanner 1 transmits the image data.

In S42-301, the printer 3, which is one of the determined devices,receives the execution recipe. Then, in S42-302, the printer 3 setsoperational conditions for providing the print service in accordancewith the execution recipe.

In S42-303, the printer 3 transmits the execution recipe to a servicewhich is followed by the print service. That is, the printer 3 transmitsthe execution recipe to the scanner 1, which provides the scan servicethat is executed before the print service and is followed by the printservice provided by the printer 3.

In S42-201, the scanner 1 receives the execution recipe from the printer3. In S42-202, the scanner set operational conditions for providing thescan service in accordance with the execution recipe.

In S42-203, the scanner scans an original, and in S42-204, the scannertransmits the scanned data to the printer 3, which provides the nextservice. Thereafter, process terminated the procedure.

In S42-304, the printer 3 receives the data transmitted from the scanner1. In S42-305, the printer 3 prints out the data, and terminates theprocedure.

The operation confirming procedure of the determined device executed inthe remote terminal 4, according to the fifth embodiment, is shown inFIG. 8. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment, inthat process transmits the confirming recipe to the determined deviceproviding the last service in the recipe transmitting procedure inS8-02.

The designated composite service execution instruction procedure issimilar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 except that theexecution recipe is transmitted to the determined device that providesthe last service in the recipe transmitting procedure in S9-03.

The recipe creating procedure according to the fifth embodiment issimilar to the recipe creating procedure according to the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 10 except that, in the fifth embodiment,process designates the transmission type of the recipe in S10-03 bywriting, in the recipe, that the recipe is reversely relayed among thedevices. That is, process designates that the recipe is transmitted fromthe determined device providing a succeeding service to a deviceproviding a preceding service.

FIGS. 43A and 43B show an example of a recipe according to the fifthembodiment.

In this example, at the item of the transmission type of the recipe, itis indicated that the recipe should be reversely relayed among thedevice. Further, in the recipe, no destination of the data isdesignated, and the source of the data is designated. The other portionsare similar to the recipe used in the first embodiment, and descriptionthereof is omitted.

The recipes for the composite services of remote fax service and imagestoring service, the difference of the recipe between the fifthembodiment and the first embodiment are similar to the above. The otheroperations are similar, and description thereof will not be provided.

The confirming procedure executed in the device according to the fifthembodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 14except that the execution recipe is transmitted to the determined devicethat provides a previous service in the recipe transmitting procedure inS16-05. The other operations are similar, and description thereof willnot be provided.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating the recipe transmittingprocedure. In S15-01, process determines whether the transmission typeof the recipe is “reverse relay among devices”. When the reverse relayof the recipe is not required (S15-01: NO), process proceeds to S15-02.This corresponds to the first and second embodiments. When the reverserelay of the recipe is required (S15-01: YES), process proceeds toS15-08. This corresponds to the fifth embodiment.

In S15-08, process determines whether there is a service to be providedbefore the service provided by the device itself in the record relatedto the designated composite service in the service table.

When there is not such a service (S15-08: NO), process terminates theprocedure since it is unnecessary to transmit the recipe. When there issuch a service (S15-08: YES), process proceeds to S15-09.

In S15-09, process transmits the recipe to the device which provides theprevious service recorded in the recipe, and terminates the procedure.

Next, a service task start-up procedure executed, for example, in S16-09or S36-07 will be described in detail.

FIG. 44 shows a flowchart illustrating a service task start-up procedureexecuted by the device according to anyone of first through fifthembodiments.

In S44-01, process determines whether the destination is written in therecipe. When the destination is designated (S44-01: YES), processproceeds to S44-02. The process following S44-02 corresponds to a deviceproviding the service 1 (i.e., scanner 1) in the first, second or fourthembodiment. The device providing the service 1 designates a devicedesignated as the destination of data transmission in the recipe inS44-02, and starts up respective service tasks.

When the destination of the data transmission is not designated in therecipe (S44-01: NO), process proceeds to S44-03.

In S44-03, process determines whether the source of data is designatedin the recipe. When the destination is not designated (S44-03: NO),process proceeds to S44-05. This corresponds the device providing theservice 2 (i.e., printer 3, fax, storage) in the first, second or fourthembodiment, or the device providing the service 1 (i.e., scanner 1) ofthe third or fifth embodiment.

In S44-05, the service task of the device providing the service 2 isstarted up without the designated destination and designated source ofthe data.

When the data source is indicated in the recipe (S44-03: YES), processproceeds to S44-04. This procedure corresponds the device providing theservice 2 (i.e., printer 3, fax or storage) of the third or fifthembodiment.

In S44-04, process designates the device, which is indicates as the datasource in the recipe, as the data source, executes respective servicetasks, and terminates the procedure.

Next, an execution procedure of each service task started in thestart-up procedure will be described in detail.

FIG. 45 shows a flowchart illustrating a scan task execution procedureexecuted by the device.

The scanner 1 that provides the scan service has a job list as shown inFIG. 32. The job list contains Index (i.e., job index number), JOB ID(i.e., job ID number), user ID (Owner or User ID), Status (i.e.,progress status) and other information.

In S45-01 of FIG. 45, process determines whether an original is set tothe scanner 1. When the original is not set (S45-01: NO), processrepeats the determination in S45-01. When the original is set (S45-01:YES), process proceeds to S45-02.

In S45-02, process adds a job regarding the original set to the scanner1 to the job list.

In S45-03, the scanner 1 scans the original. Then, in S45-01, thescanner 1 determines whether a destination of the scanned data isdesignated, that is, whether the service task has been started inS44-02.

When the destination has not been set (S45-03: NO), process proceeds toS45-08. This procedure corresponds to the third and fifth embodiments.When the destination has been set (S45-03: YES), process proceeds toS45-05. This process corresponds to the first, second and fourthembodiments.

In S45-05, the scanner 1 determines whether the recipe transmission typeis set to transmit from the remote terminal 4 to all the devices. Whenthe transmission type is not the transmission from the remote terminal 4to all the devices (S45-05: NO), and when the scanner 1 has transmittedthe execution recipe to the device providing the next service (e.g., theprinter 3) and it is confirmed that the printer 3 is operable, processproceeds to S45-07. This procedure corresponds to the first and secondembodiments. When the transmission type is the transmission from theremote terminal to all the devices (S45-05: YES), process proceeds toS45-06.

In S45-06, process confirms the operation of the determined device thatis the destination of the scanned data and provides the next service.For example, process transmits an echo request packet of ICMP (InternetControl Message Protocol) designating the IP address of the determineddevice that provides the next service, and confirms whether the deviceis operable depending on whether the ICMP echo packet is returned. Whenit is confirmed that the device is operable, process proceeds to S45-07.

In S45-07, process transmits the scanned image data to the designateddestination, and proceeds to S45-11.

In S45-04, when the destination of the scanned data is not designated(S45-04: NO), process proceeds to S45-08. This procedure corresponds tothe third and fifth embodiments.

In S45-08, process set the data waiting status flag indicative of thatthe device is waiting for an image data transmitting request withoutdesignating the data source.

In S45-09, process determines whether the image data transmittingrequest is received. When the image data transmitting request has notbeen received (S45-09: NO), process repeated the decision in S45-09.When the image data transmitting request has been received (S45-09:YES), process proceeds to S45-10.

In S45-10, based on the user ID attached to the transmission request,process identifies the image data to be transmitted from the job list,and transmits the image data to the requesting device. Then, processproceeds to S45-11.

In S45-11, process notifies the end of the scan task to the start-uptask, and terminates the procedure.

FIG. 46 shows a flowchart illustrating a print/fax task executionprocedure executed by the device.

In S46-01, process determines whether a data source is designated in theexecution recipe. When there is no data source designation (S46-01: NO),process proceeds to S46-03. This procedure corresponds to the first,second and fourth embodiments. When there is a data source designation(S46-01: YES), procedure proceeds to S46-02. This procedure correspondsto the third and fifth embodiments.

In S46-02, process transmits a data request attached with the user ID tothe designated data source, and proceeds to S46-03.

In S46-03, process sets status information to indicate that the deviceis waiting for image data designating the printer 3 or fax modem 2 asits destination.

In S46-04, process determines whether image data has been received, thatis, whether data is received in S13-03. When the image data has not beenreceived (S46-04: NO), process repeats the decision in S46-04. Whenprocess has received the image data (S46-04: YES), process proceeds toS46-05.

In S46-05, process determines whether the format of the received imagedata and the input document format described in the recipe are the same.When the formats are different (S46-05: NO), process determines that thereceived data is not the data to be processed for providing the service,and returns to S46-04. When the formats coincide, process determinesthat the received data is the data to be processed for providing theservice, and proceeds to S46-06.

In S46-06, process executes printing or fax transmission. In S46-07,process notifies the end of the print task or fax task to the start-uptask, and terminates the procedure.

FIG. 47 shows a flowchart illustrating a storage task executionprocedure executed by the device.

The procedure shown in FIG. 47 is similar to the procedure shown in FIG.46 except that a procedure for comparing the format of the image datawith the format described in the recipe (S46-05) is not included, and asdata processing, the image data is stored in S47-05.

Various exemplary embodiments are described above. In each embodiment,when the progress of the service is notified to the user, only one ofthe display unit (1 c, 2 c, 3 c, or 4 b) and notifying unit (1 d, 2 d, 3d or 4 c) or both of them may be used.

When the user intends to reset the entire system including the scanner1, printers 3 and fax modem 2, each device may be reset individually.Alternatively, by use of the GID described above, the scanner 1,printers 3 and fax modem 2 can be reset simultaneously. For example,when a composite service is provided as a plurality of devices havingthe same GID cooperate with each other, with a single triggering signal,the devices having the same GID can be reset. It should be noted thatnot only a resetting of the devices, but also sleeping of the devicescan be done, when the devices have the same GID.

A network system is typically configured such that electronic devices(e.g., printer, scanner, fax mode, etc.) are placed at differentlocations. In such a case, according to the conventional compositeservice providing system, it may be difficult for the user to identify adevice to be operated in order to execute the intended compositeservice. Further, it is difficult for the user, in such a conventionalsystem, to recognize a progress of the composite service particularlywhen respective devices are located at different positions. According tothe embodiments described above, the problems mentioned above can besolved. That is, the user can recognize the device to be operated andprogress of the composite service easily.

In the conventional composite service system, when the user intends toreceive a copy service, after scanning an image using a scanner, theuser is required to find a printer and designate the printer to whichthe scanned data is transmitted. In a case of a fax service, the user isrequired to designate a fax modem to which the scanned image data istransmitted. If the user knows the name or address of the printer or faxmodem, the user can easily designate the printer or fax modem. However,it is relatively bothersome for the user to remember the names/addressesof respective devices. According to the embodiments described above, theuser is not required to perform troublesome operations, and can use theentire composite service system as an all-in-one MFP (multifunctionperipheral).

The present disclosure relates to the subject matters contained inJapanese Patent Applications Nos. P2003-153266 and P2003-153267, bothfiled on May 29, 2003, which are expressly incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

1. A composite service providing system including: a plurality ofelectronic devices which are communicatively interconnected, theplurality of electronic devices being independent of each other andincluding a first electronic device and a second electronic device, eachof the first electronic device and a second electronic device beingprovided with an independent service execution system which isconfigured to execute at least one independent service from among aprint service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image databy scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and animage data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to aremote image data receiving device and to obtain image data by receivingthe image data from a remote image data transmission device; a compositeservice designating system configured to acquire a first user inputdesignating one of a plurality of composite services which include acopy service, an image data storage service and an image data transferservice, the copy service being provided as the independent serviceexecution system provided to the first electronic device obtains theimage data, the second electronic device obtains the image data from thefirst electronic device, and the independent service execution systemprovided to the second electronic device executes the print service withrespect to the image data, the image data storage service being providedas the independent service execution system provided to the firstelectronic device obtains the image data, the second electronic deviceobtains the image data from the first electronic device, and theindependent service execution system provided to the second electronicdevice executes the storage service with respect to the image data, theimage data transfer service being provided as the independent serviceexecution system provided to the first electronic device obtains theimage data, the second electronic device obtains the image data from thefirst electronic device, and the independent service execution systemprovided to the second electronic device executes the image datatransmission/reception service with respect to the image data; a usagecondition designating system configured to acquire a second user inputdesignating a usage condition of the composite service which isdesignated by the first user input acquired by the composite servicedesignating system; an electronic device determining system configuredto determine the first electronic device and the second electronicdevice respectively provided with the independent service executionsystems necessary for providing the composite services designated by thefirst user input acquired by the composite service designating system;an operational condition data generating system configured to generatean operational condition data representing an operational condition withwhich the independent service execution systems respectively provided tothe plurality of electronic devices determined by the electronic devicedetermining system operate so that the composite service designated bythe first user input acquired by the composite service designatingsystem is provided in accordance with the usage condition designated bythe second user input acquired by the usage condition designatingsystem; and a setting system configured to execute setting of theoperational conditions for the service providing systems of theplurality electronic devices respectively determined by the electronicdevice determining system in accordance with the operational conditiondata generated by the operational condition data generating system,wherein the independent service execution system provided to the firstelectronic device determined by the electronic device determining systemobtains the image data necessary for providing the composite servicedesignated by the first user input acquired by the composite servicedesignating system under the operational condition set by the settingsystem, and wherein the independent service execution system provided tothe second electronic device determined by the electronic devicedetermining system obtains the image data which is necessary forproviding the composite service designated by the first user inputacquired by the composite service designating system and obtained by theindependent service execution system provided to the first electronicdevice determined by the electronic device determining system, andexecutes the independent service with respect to the obtained image dataunder the operational condition set by the setting system.
 2. Thecomposite service providing system according to claim 1, wherein, eachof the plurality of electronic device is assigned with an identifier,one of the plurality of the electronic devices comprises the compositeservice designating system, and the electronic device determining systemdetermines the first electronic device and the second electronic devicefrom among the electronic devices which is assigned with the identifiersame as the identifier assigned to the electronic device provided withthe composite service designating system which acquires the first userinput.
 3. The composite service providing system according to claim 1,further comprising a user identification information obtaining systemconfigured to obtain user identification information to identify a userto whom the composite service designated by the first user inputacquired by the composite service designating system is provided, andwherein the electronic device determining system determines the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device in accordance withthe user identification information obtained by the user identificationinformation obtaining system.
 4. The composite service providing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein, one of the plurality of the electronicdevices comprises the composite service designating system, and theelectronic device determining system determines the electronic devicecomprising the composite service designating system which acquires thefirst user input as the first electronic device and determines thesecond electronic device from among the other electronic devices, ordetermines the electronic device comprising the composite servicedesignating system which acquires the first user input as the secondelectronic device and determines the first electronic device from amongthe other electronic devices.
 5. The composite service providing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the electronic device determining systemdetermines the first electronic device and the second electronic devicefrom among the electronic devices which comprise the independent serviceexecution system capable of operating in the operational condition forproviding the composite service designated by the first user inputacquired by the composite service designating system in the usagecondition designated by the second user input acquired by the usagecondition designating system.
 6. The composite service providing systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a location obtaining systemconfigured to obtain locations of electronic devices, and wherein theelectronic device determining system determines the first electronicdevice and the second electronic device in accordance with a resultobtained by the location obtaining system.
 7. The composite serviceproviding system according to claim 1, further comprising a usage ordernotifying system configured to notify a predetermined order of executionof the independent services by the independent service execution systemof the first electronic device and the second electronic devicedetermined by the electronic device determining system.
 8. The compositeservice providing system according to claim 1, further comprising: alocation obtaining system configured to obtain location information ofthe first electronic device and the second electronic device determinedby the electronic device determining system; and a location informationnotifying system configured to notify the locations of the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device determined by theelectronic device determining system in accordance with a resultobtained by the location obtaining system.
 9. The composite serviceproviding system according to claim 1, further comprising a progressnotifying system configured to notify a progress in providing thecomposite service designated by the first user input acquired by thecomposite service designating system, and wherein each of the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device determined by theelectronic device determining system comprises an execution statusinformation transmitting system configured to transmit execution statusinformation representing an execution status of the service to theprogress notifying system when each independent service execution systemexecutes the independent service, and wherein the progress notifyingsystem notifies the progress of the composite service in accordance withthe execution status information transmitted from the execution statustransmitting system provided to each of the first electronic device andthe second electronic device determined by the electronic devicedetermining system.
 10. An electronic device comprising an independentservice execution system which is configured to execute at least oneindependent service from among a print service to print image data, ascan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storageservice to store image data, and an image data transmission/receptionservice to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving deviceand obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote imagedata transmission device, the electronic device being used as a firstelectronic device or a second electronic device in a composite serviceproviding system, wherein the composite service providing systemcomprising: a plurality of electronic devices which are communicativelyinterconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent ofeach other and including the first electronic device and the secondelectronic device, a composite service designating system configured toacquire a first user input designating one of a plurality of compositeservices which include a copy service, an image data storage service andan image data transfer service, the copy service being provided as theindependent service execution system provided to the first electronicdevice obtains the image data, the second electronic device obtains theimage data from the first electronic device, and the independent serviceexecution system provided to the second electronic device executes theprint service with respect to the image data, the image data storageservice being provided as the independent service execution systemprovided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, thesecond electronic device obtains the image data from the firstelectronic device, and the independent service execution system providedto the second electronic device executes the storage service withrespect to the image data, the image data transfer service beingprovided as the independent service execution system provided to thefirst electronic device obtains the image data, the second electronicdevice obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and theindependent service execution system provided to the second electronicdevice executes the image data transmission/reception service withrespect to the image data; a usage condition designating systemconfigured to acquire a second user input designating a usage conditionof the composite service which is designated by the first user inputacquired by the composite service designating system; an electronicdevice determining system configured to determine the first electronicdevice and the second electronic device respectively provided with theindependent service execution systems necessary for providing thecomposite services designated by the first user input acquired by thecomposite service designating system; an operational condition datagenerating system configured to generate an operational condition datarepresenting an operational condition with which the independent serviceexecution systems respectively provided to the plurality of electronicdevices determined by the electronic device determining system operateso that the composite service designated by the first user inputacquired by the composite service designating system is provided inaccordance with the usage condition designated by the second user inputacquired by the usage condition designating system; and a setting systemconfigured to execute setting of the operational conditions for theservice providing systems of the plurality electronic devicesrespectively determined by the electronic device determining system inaccordance with the operational condition data generated by theoperational condition data generating system, wherein the independentservice execution system provided to the first electronic devicedetermined by the electronic device determining system obtains the imagedata necessary for providing the composite service designated by thefirst user input acquired by the composite service designating systemunder the operational condition set by the setting system, and whereinthe independent service execution system provided to the secondelectronic device determined by the electronic device determining systemobtains the image data which is necessary for providing the compositeservice designated by the first user input acquired by the compositeservice designating system and obtained by the independent serviceexecution system provided to the first electronic device determined bythe electronic device determining system, and executes the independentservice with respect to the obtained image data under the operationalcondition set by the setting system.
 11. The electronic device accordingto claim 10, further comprising the composite service designating systemand the electronic device determining system, wherein, each of theplurality of electronic device included in the composite serviceproviding system is assigned with an identifier, and the electronicdevice determining system determines the electronic device itself as thefirst electronic device and determines the second electronic device fromamong the electronic devices which is assigned with the identifier sameas the identifier assigned to the electronic device itself, ordetermines the electronic device itself as the second electronic deviceand determines the first electronic device from among the electronicdevices which is assigned with the identifier same as the identifierassigned to the electronic device itself.
 12. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 10, further comprising a user identificationinformation obtaining system configured to obtain user identificationinformation to identify a user to whom the composite service designatedby the first user input acquired by the composite service designatingsystem is provided, and wherein the electronic device determining systemdetermines the first electronic device and the second electronic devicein accordance with the user identification information obtained by theuser identification information obtaining system.
 13. The electronicdevice according to claim 10, further comprising the composite servicedesignating system and the electronic device determining system, andwherein the electronic device determining system determines theelectronic device comprising the composite service designating systemwhich acquires the first user input as the first electronic device anddetermines the second electronic device from among the other electronicdevices, or determines the electronic device comprising the compositeservice designating system which acquires the first user input as thesecond electronic device and determines the first electronic device fromamong the other electronic devices.
 14. The electronic device accordingto claim 10, further comprising the composite service designatingsystem, the usage condition designating system, and the electronicdevice determining system, and wherein the electronic device determiningsystem determines the first electronic device and the second electronicdevice among the electronic devices which comprise the independentservice execution system capable of operating in the operationalcondition for providing the composite service designated by the firstuser input acquired by the composite service designating system in theusage condition designated by the second user input acquired by theusage condition designating system.
 15. The electronic device accordingto claim 10, further comprising a location obtaining system configuredto obtain locations of electronic devices included in the compositeservice providing system and the electronic device determining system,and wherein the electronic device determining system determines thefirst electronic device and the second electronic device in accordancewith a result obtained by the location obtaining system.
 16. Theelectronic device according to claim 10, further comprising a usageorder notifying system configured to notify a predetermined order ofexecution of the independent services by the independent serviceexecution system of the first electronic device and the secondelectronic device determined by the electronic device determiningsystem.
 17. The electronic device according to claim 10, furthercomprising: a location obtaining system configured to obtain locationinformation of the first electronic device and the second electronicdevice determined by the electronic device determining system; and alocation information notifying system configured to notify a location ofthe first electronic device and the second electronic device determinedby the electronic device determining system in accordance with a resultobtained by the location obtaining system.
 18. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 10, further comprising a progress notifying systemconfigured to notify a progress in providing the composite servicedesignated by the first user input acquired by the composite servicedesignating system, and wherein each of the first electronic device andthe second electronic device determined by the electronic devicedetermining system comprises an execution status informationtransmitting system configured to transmit execution status informationrepresenting an execution status of the service to the progressnotifying system when each independent service execution system executesthe independent service, and wherein the progress notifying systemnotifies, when the electronic device determining system determines theelectronic device itself as the first electronic device, a progress inproviding the composite service designated by the first user inputacquired by the composite service designating system in accordance withan execution status of the independent service by the independentservice execution system provided to the electronic device itself, andexecution status information transmitted by the second electronic deviceand representing an execution status of the service by the independentservice execution system provided to the second electronic device, andwhen the electronic device determining system determines the electronicdevice itself as the second electronic device, a progress in providingthe composite service designated by the first user input acquired by thecomposite service designating system in accordance with an executionstatus of the independent service by the independent service executionsystem provided to the electronic device itself, and execution statusinformation transmitted by the first electronic device and representingan execution status of the service by the independent service executionsystem provided to the first electronic device.
 19. A composite serviceproviding method in a composite service providing system including aplurality of electronic devices which are communicativelyinterconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent ofeach other and including a first electronic device and a secondelectronic device, each of the first electronic device and a secondelectronic device being provided with an independent service executionsystem which is configured to execute at least one independent servicefrom among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtainimage data by scanning an original, a storage service to store imagedata, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit imagedata to a remote image data receiving device and to obtain image data byreceiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device,the method including steps of: acquiring a first user input designatingone of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service,an image data storage service and an image data transfer service, thecopy service being provided as the independent service execution systemprovided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, thesecond electronic device obtains the image data from the firstelectronic device, and the independent service execution system providedto the second electronic device executes the print service with respectto the image data, the image data storage service being provided as theindependent service execution system provided to the first electronicdevice obtains the image data, the second electronic device obtains theimage data from the first electronic device, and the independent serviceexecution system provided to the second electronic device executes thestorage service with respect to the image data, the image data transferservice being provided as the independent service execution systemprovided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, thesecond electronic device obtains the image data from the firstelectronic device, and the independent service execution system providedto the second electronic device executes the image datatransmission/reception service with respect to the image data; acquiringa second user input designating a usage condition of the compositeservice which is designated by the first user input; determining thefirst electronic device and the second electronic device respectivelyprovided with the independent service execution systems necessary forproviding the composite services designated by the first user input;generating an operational condition data representing an operationalcondition with which the independent service execution systemsrespectively provided to the plurality of electronic devices determinedby the determining step operate so that the composite service designatedby the first user input is provided in accordance with the usagecondition designated by the second user input; and executing setting ofthe operational conditions for the service providing systems of theplurality electronic devices respectively determined by the determiningstep in accordance with the operational condition data generated by thegenerating step, wherein the independent service execution systemprovided to the first electronic device determined by the determiningstep obtains the image data necessary for providing the compositeservice designated by the first user input under the operationalcondition set by the setting step, and wherein the independent serviceexecution system provided to the second electronic device determined bythe determining step obtains the image data which is necessary forproviding the composite service designated by the first user input andobtained by the first electronic device determined by the determiningstep, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtainedimage data under the operational condition set by the setting step. 20.A non-transitory computer readable medium to store computer readableinstructions to cause an electronic device, which is provided with anindependent service execution system which is configured to execute atleast one independent service from among a print service to print imagedata, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, astorage service to store image data, and an image datatransmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote imagedata receiving device and to obtain image data by receive the image datafrom a remote image data transmission device, and is used as a firstelectronic device or a second electronic device in a composite serviceproviding system including a plurality of electronic devices which arecommunicatively interconnected and independent of each other, to executesteps of: acquiring a first user input designating one of a plurality ofcomposite services which include a copy service, an image data storageservice and an image data transfer service, the copy service beingprovided as the independent service execution system provided to thefirst electronic device obtains the image data, the second electronicdevice obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and theindependent service execution system provided to the second electronicdevice executes the print service with respect to the image data, theimage data storage service being provided as the independent serviceexecution system provided to the first electronic device obtains theimage data, the second electronic device obtains the image data from thefirst electronic device, and the independent service execution systemprovided to the second electronic device executes the storage servicewith respect to the image data, the image data transfer service beingprovided as the independent service execution system provided to thefirst electronic device obtains the image data, the second electronicdevice obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and theindependent service execution system provided to the second electronicdevice executes the image data transmission/reception service withrespect to the image data; acquiring a second user input designating ausage condition of the composite service which is designated by thefirst user input; determining the first electronic device and the secondelectronic device respectively provided with the independent serviceexecution systems necessary for providing the composite servicesdesignated by the first user input; generating an operational conditiondata representing an operational condition with which the independentservice execution systems respectively provided to the plurality ofelectronic devices determined by the determining step operate so thatthe composite service designated by the first user input is provided inaccordance with the usage condition designated by the second user input;and executing setting of the operational conditions for the serviceproviding systems of the plurality electronic devices respectivelydetermined by the determining step in accordance with the operationalcondition data generated by the generating step, wherein the firstelectronic device determined by the determining step obtains the imagedata necessary for providing the composite service designated by thefirst user input under the operational condition set by the settingstep, and wherein the second electronic device determined by thedetermining step obtains the image data which is necessary for providingthe composite service designated by the first user input and obtained bythe first electronic device determined by the determining step, andexecutes the independent service with respect to the obtained image dataunder the operational condition set by the setting step.